My senior dog spits up food and has a disappearing mouth growth. Why?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could be benign or malignant growths. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Since he has not been drinking well, they would also be able to check if something else is also affecting him by checking into other possible concurrent issues such as gastroenteritis or pancreatitis for instance. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and best wishes!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Bailey! Bailey needs to see your vet ASAP tomorrow. The most common reason for the swelling under his jaw are enlarged lymph nodes. With the increased thirst and swelling under his neck I am concerned he has a cancer called Lymphoma. He will need a physical exam and blood work. The most common cause of increased thirst with lymphoma is an increased calcium. Other causes for the swelling under his neck could be an allergic reaction, swollen salivary glands or lymph nodes that are swollen from something else other than cancer (reactive to something in his mouth or ears). The facial dropping sounds neurologic. 2 weeks is a long time to not eat. I would call tuesday when your Vet opens to get an appointment. I hope this helps and I wish you and Bailey the best of luck!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your question. There could several causes of this. I would suspect a toxin that was ingested or a systemic disease that is causing abnormal bleeding into the surrounding tissues of the body. It is difficult to say for sure just based on these clinical signs. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to contact me and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from your description of the symptoms you are seeing, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Max so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I worry that something neurological is causing these symptoms, especially with Max's age. I would recommend having his blood tested as well as a physical examination. I hope this helps and Max improves! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other further questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

I'm sorry to hear that Bella isn't feeling well! Did all of this start between November and now? If so, please take her to you vet for an exam. I am worried that she has a tumor that may be affecting either the back of her throat, her neck (the lump you are describing). Its also possible that she has cancer elsewhere, such as in her spinal cord if her gait has changed significantly (though this could be due to disc disease or other causes of spinal cord compression.) Take her back to your vet for an exam. It sounds like her overall quality of life is still good... however, your vet may be able to identify ways to help you keep her feeling good for longer. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

He’s a handsome boy! I recommend a vet visit for Oliver. The swelling could be due to a dental abscess or infection, cancer, infected salivary gland or even a foreign body in his mouth. Though that last maybe less likely if he doesn’t appear bothered by it. But the vet can do a thorough physical and oral exam to try to characterize the lump a little better. Depending on what they see they may Recommend a fine needle aspirate, a dental cleaning and assessment, or biopsy if it appears to be a mass. But given Olive’s age I would recommend you get it checked out sooner rather than later I hope it all works out well. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for the pictures I see what you are worried about. Possible causes of the mass are: a benign over growth of gum tissue, an epulis, or cancerous growths. Some epulids are: Fibromatous, ossifying, and acanthomatous. Acanthomatous epuli, in particular, are highly invasive to the bone and are usually located on the front part of the lower jaw. It is sadly impossible to tell from just looking at the mass to say what it could be. I recommend you make an appointment with your Vet. Lucky will have to go under anesthesia, have dental X-rays taken of the area and the mass biopsied or removed, if able. I hope this helps! I wish Lucky the best!