My dog has a mouth lump that's growing fast. When should I see a vet?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

  Veterinarian

  Published on August 23rd, 2017

  Hello there and thank you for your question! The picture helps too so thanks for that as well. I see a soft tissue growth coming from her gingiva it appears. It does not look red, ulcerated, or any sign of swelling. To me, just from the picture alone, it appears similar to what is called an epulis or overgrowth of gingival tissue. Generally growths like these do not cause serious problems, although I would recommend removal and biopsy of the mass just to be on the safe side. Sometimes these growths can become a nuisance while eating if they become large enough and can become infected. Worth another chat with your vet about for sure! Thanks and I hope this has helped.

  

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• Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

  Veterinarian

  Published on August 23rd, 2020

  Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect this is an epulis - growth that originates from gum tissue. It could be a benign or malignant mass. It also could be a mass originating from the bone in the lower jaw.
  If the lump is increasing in size quickly, if it keeps bleeding or bothering your dog, it should be surgically removed.
  Please, take Roxy to your local vets for an appointment. Your vet may want to take an x-ray of the jaw or take aspirates from the mass to make the definite diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for Roxy

  

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• Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

  Veterinarian

  Published on August 12th, 2021

  Hi and thanks for your request.This is very likely to be an epulis.
  Epulides/epuli (plural of epulis) are common benign growths found in dogs' mouths.
  Usually surgical resection is performed if this is causing inflammation and may bleed as it gets caught during chewing.
  
  The oral tumors don't usually recur if the entire tumor has been removed. However, some can. Checking your dog's mouth frequently will help you spot any tumor recurrence or new tumors.
  
  Please discuss this with your local veterinarian.

  

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• Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on August 17th, 2017

  This looks like an overgrowth of gingival tissue, or gingival epulis. These are generally benign and can be easily removed when the dog is under anesthesia for a dental cleaning.
  
  There is a small chance however that this could be a more serious mouth tumor, like an oral cancer like a melanoma. The only way to know for sure is to have the mass removed and sent off for histopathology.
  
  Because of your dog's advanced age I would probably recommend just keeping an eye on it for now. As long as it is not infected, irritating, or causing trouble when he eats it should be ok to leave alone.
  
  I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful