LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Comments

Hi Roberta,

It's difficult to suffer such a loss, especially since it happened so quickly. Most people don't think about looking inside their dog's mouth unless they notice a problem, and most dogs will hide problems until they can't deal with it anymore. All you can do now is move forward and try to give Hoss' son the best care you can using what you've learned from this experience. That will be a tribute to Hoss. Make sure you brush his son's teeth at least once a week because this will give you an opportunity to inspect his mouth. Once you're familiar with what's normal for him, you'll notice any little difference right away. If you do see something, you'll be able to have your vet look at it at the earliest opportunity, and this is usually very important when treating a condition as aggressive as mouth cancer.

Please accept my condolences for your loss, and my best wishes for the health of your remaining dog. I hope you never have to go through such a situation again.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog Hoss ( SCWT, 11 yrs. ) was put down last week due to oral cancer. 1 1/2 weeks prior he was diagnosed in that short of time the cancer was so agressive he couldn't eat and was miserable. For him I had to let go. I do have his son and am concerned for him. He was normal not showing any symptoms till the day I noticed he was off his feed, no other symptoms than the diag. I feel like I neglected my boy, how could I miss it? This is nasty stuff!

-- Contributed by: roberta

Hi Ashley,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's tumor. Unfortunately, I don't think there's much you can do about the bleeding except to feed your dog soft food as you have been. It might be a good idea to check in with your vet again to report on the bleeding. Perhaps there is a way to cauterize the bleeding areas, but your vet would be the expert on that. I truly hope there is something that can be done to make your dog more comfortable.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My St.Bernard has a malignant growth on his lower jaw. It is already pretty good sized and pushing his teeth out. There is no way we can afford surgery and he's 7 and his hips are bad and with this breed, I know 7-10 years is the life expectancy. When he starts to get real bad we will have to have him put down. I was wondering if there is any thing to help the bleeding. His mouth has started to bleed alot, i was wondering if there is any thing I can do to prevent it or make it not bleed as much. It happens mainly when he eats and drinks of course. I try to soften his food, but i'm not sure if thats helping. He acts fine so i don't think it's time yet, but I'm concerned about all this bleeding. Thanks.

-- Contributed by: Ashley

Hi Cindy, and welcome to the site.

The safest thing you can do is have your vet examine this growth. Sometimes vets who are familiar with mouth tumors can tell if they are benign or malignant just by looking at them. Other times a biopsy is required to determine what they are. Additionally, even a benign tumor can grow large enough to eventually interfere with eating and breathing, so it would be best to make a vet appointment right away.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what you find out. I hope your dog will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my bulldog has a large size of grape cauliflower type growth on her dewlap inside of her mouth doesn't seem to bother her looks bad breath smells

-- Contributed by: cindy

Hi Christi,

Honestly, this is far beyond my field of expertise, but I am glad you're seeing another vet for a second opinion. It sounds like you've already done a lot of research to prepare for the next exam. It would be a good idea to prepare a list of questions so you don't forget something you wanted to ask during the stress of the moment. Vets are only human, and one of your questions/ideas may inspire the new vet to check out something he might not otherwise think about. In addition, if the new vet even suspects the sores could be cancer related, he should take a biopsy for further examination.

Please let us know what the new vet has to say, and best wishes for your dog's recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Please don't say pemphigus does not manifest itself in the mouth .... of the 4 types , vulgarus does.............

-- Contributed by: Christi

OOPs.... wasn't done....

I don't expect a diagnosis... just better prepared when he sees the new vet in 3 days..

Thank - You

-- Contributed by: Christi

Is it easy to tell the difference between oral cancer lesions and "pemphigus vulgarus" ??

The reason I'm asking is.... my German Shepherd "Baird" has been sick for the past 3 months to the tune of $2300 of vet bills with nothing more than the vet saying Baird is "aneemic" after taking his spleen, multiple visits for blood work for Erlichosis, bacterial, fungal, X-rays for Blasto..... Urgh...

He has flat, open, circular sores with a white edge around them in his mouth. He also has sores that are not so symetrical and kind of blistery around his genitals and tummy....

I live in rural North Dakota. The three "local" Vets are 1 to 1 1/2 hours away, ha... one of the three will never touch my Baird again.... My next choice is Minot 2 3/4 hours away...

SO.... is it easy to tell the difference between oral cancer and pemphigus vulgaris?

-- Contributed by: Christi

Hello David,

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm not a vet, so I did some research into viral papillomas in dogs. I am providing the links to two of the more informative veterinary websites I found. You can read the info and draw your own conclusions. You may want to contact your vet again and make sure the diagnosis was truly viral papilloma.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and again, please accept my condolences.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I had to get my dog put down yeaterday with the PDSA, she had a fast growing lump in her mouth on her gum and the inside of the lip, she started to get diarrhea and was a bit lathargic but otherwise she was fine, The PDSA said there was no point in getting a biopsy or cutting it away as it would grow back very quickly, im very uneasy with this, iv checked the internet and im reading the same stories but these dogs have been treated, they have had there lumps removed and they are doing well, i think it was something called a viral papilloma, she had all the signs of it bad breath fatty coliflower looking lump, im very angry at the thought that i could have saved her if i new more, can anyone tell me if the PDSA could have done more, were they just being lazy as they never botherd to do a biopsy. please help

-- Contributed by: David M

Hi Annie,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis. That is a tough thing to deal with, and it's difficult to decide whether the rigors of treatment will be worth the possible results. I think it's worth getting a second opinion from another vet to be sure you've done all you can to save your dog. A canine oncologist could give you the most educated advice after reviewing your dog's records and examining her. Ask your vet for a referral. It can't hurt to gather more information from such a credible source. At least then you'll have a better idea of what the odds are and whether it's worth it to pursue chemo or radiation. I applaud you anyway for being willing to explore the options.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope there is more that can be done to help you dog. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, my angel Kola was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, she is apprx. 4.5 yrs old, our vet recommends that we dont do anything invasive as it will be uncomfortable for her. But shes just too young to die in a year, so i wont settle for that if i can do anything about it. im wondering what the survival rate it of this cancer is, i should mention it is in her gums and they were not able to get it all as it was too close to the jaw. Am i out of luck? should i consider removing some of her jaw or chemo or radiation? please help, i dont want to lose her.

-- Contributed by: Annie

Hi Laura,

Has your vet checked to see if this is a fungal infection? I sdounds like it could be. If this is the case, perhaps fluconazole might help. It's certainly worth asking your vet about it.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this helps.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My beloved border Terrier Rufus has had a terribly painful mouth for a few months now. we have tried three lots of antibiotics steroids and pain meds. He has also had a culture grown to see what type of infection there is. his mouth is red raw with white patches on the gums and roof of his mouth, it also looks ... and smells awful. he is going to be 9 this year. Our vet has said that he thinks that it is cancer and has recommended a biopsy. It is absolutely breaking my heart as we don't have any money saved for the cost of the biopsy, and once it is confirmed as cancer what will the treatment if any be? sometimes I think it would be kinder to just let him go, but he is such a special dog to me, we have a wonderful bond. I would appreciate anybodies advice or sharing of any experiences similar to Rufus's. Thank you so much.

-- Contributed by: Laura

Hello again Donna,

I'm so sorry to hear that your dog has passed, but I really do think you made the right decision for her. I know from my own experience how difficult and gut-wrenching that decision was, and it took a lot of love an bravery to make it. It's going to be difficult for a while to come, but the initial grief will pass, and wonderful memories of Puppy will come to the forefront. I'm glad you felt you could come here to share with us.

I'd also like to invite everyone dealing with euthanasia questions, decisions and grief to vist our Dog Forum. You can share your struggle, talk about your dog and find support that only fellow dog lovers can give.

Take care.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi: Just wanted to let you know on Mar.4/09, my dog, Puppy, passed away. I had the vet with his assistant come into my home because I didn't want to stress her out by taking her out of my home. I've had Puppy for almost 15yrs but she started to lose control of her kidneys and I knew then it was time. She was blind, Diabetic, taking 2 needles a day. She had 3 tumors in her mouth & one growing on her foot.She was completely deaf. I would have given anything to keep her in my life and a piece of my soul is lost & I know I will never get it back but I also know it was the right thing to do for her. I have alot of great memories, photos and she will always be in my heart. I know there alot of people out there having to make that decision. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make but I wouldn't trade a single moment I had with her throughout my life. She is still with me as I had her cremated. My cat misses her alot and she's almost 15 yrs old. I try to give her more attention then I'd have ever given her to help her through this as well. Thank-you for listening. Donna Hayward, St. John's, Nfld., Canada

-- Contributed by: Donna Hayward

Hi Beth,

I'm sorry to hear about what you and your dog have been going through. That must have been quite a shock, but thank goodness the vet found the tumor and was able to remove it. By any chance, did the vet tell you which kind of tumor it was? Some tumors are more prone to metastasizing than others, so your dog's prognosis would depend a lot on the kind of tumor he had. The vet might have been able to tell which kind it was by looking at it, but in many cases the growth is sent to a lab for analysis and identification. Your vet may be waiting on this info before decide if further treatment is necessary. Right now, the best thing you can do is keep the lines of communication open with your vet. Don't be afraid to make a list of specific questions and request an appointment to discuss them. Hopefully the tumor was benign since it was so easy to remove, but your vet will be able to tell you exactly what's going on, so don't hesitate to ask for more information.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and please keep us posted on what you find out. Best wishes for your dog's full recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I just found out my lab/retriver mix has mouth cancer. Vet found a tumor the size of a prune in the back of his mouth doing a routine teeth cleaning. Tumor was on a stalk. She went deep and removed as much as she could. I'm just wondering to do and what to expect to happen next?

-- Contributed by: Beth

Hi Ginny,

I'm so sorry to hear about what you and your pet went through. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to track how cancer starts, but that doesn't necessarily mean that any other dog you might adopt will get the disease. The best thing you can do is remember what you learned from this experience. If you ever have another dog that develops a suspicious lump, you'll know to contact a canine oncologist right away. Hopefully you'll never have to face this situation again.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I'm sure that reading your story will help other dog lovers who find themselves in a similar situation. Please accept my condolences.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My 10 y.o. cavalier presented with a pea size nodule which my vet was treating with antibiotics for weeks as if it were a cyst in the adrenal gland. After the growth doubled in size, not responding to antiobitics he did a aspiration. The first one showed only bloody cells. The growth quickly enlarged and a second aspiration was done, this one showing positive squamous cell tonsillar carcinoma with lymph node involvement. By the time I reached out to an Oncologist, it was too advanced and my beloved Cisco only live three months after diagnosis. I can't help wondering if it were diagnosed sooner maybe surgery was an option. I am also concerned about how it was contacted, chemicals, food?????? What if I get another pet and it is something around the home or his food that exposed him???? I am terified...

-- Contributed by: Ginny

Hi Donna,

Welcome to the site, and thanks for sharing. It's so hard to watch our pets age and become infirm. Their lives don't seem nearly long enough. I fully understand what you're going through. By the way, my mother also suffered from Alzheimers.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi: I have a wonderful 15yr old friend, "Puppy". She has 2 tumors in her mouth now but is still eating. It breaks my heart to know it won't be long and she will no longer be with me. She is diabetic and takes 2 needles a day, blind and has a tumor in her ear also, not cancerous. She walks with me twice a day and right now the tumors do not interfer with her eating. I just wanted to share my story with you. Puppy is a Heinz 57, cross Beagle/German Sheppard. I have a cat too who is 15yrs old and she is on medication for over-active thyroid but is well. My cat's name is Putty. Both names are original but my mom had Alzheimers Disease and couldn't remember their names so she called them Puppy & Putty which stuck to this day.

Thanks for listening. I love my pets very much and they give me alot of joy in my life. Donna Happy Holidays

-- Contributed by: Donna Fr St. John's, Nfld., Canada

Hi Kelly,

Thank you for reading what I posted. I hope that everything is going well with your pet(s).

-- Contributed by: Darionte

Hi Darionte,

It's a good mesage for all of us. Thanks for sharing your story.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, Fellow dog lovers

Last year, my family and I were disheartened to learn that our 8 year old chow mix had cancer in her mouth. At first, we beleived that a full recovery would be possible, however, things soon took a turn for the worse. After having surgery to remove a Squamous Tumor, it soon grew back and worse. Not long after, our "princess" went from having trouble eating to having difficulty maintaining balance when walking. The vet gave two options: put her down or let the cancer run its course.Ultimately, my family came to the conclusion that we did not want to watch helplessly as cancer coursed thru her body, we had her put down on thanksgiving break. One of the saddest moments of my life. I am sorry about the lenghty tale, but my message is this: take care of your friend, get them checked regularly, and cherish the uncondition love that they give.

-- Contributed by: Darionte

Hi Stephen,

I'm so glad to hear your dog is improving. Whatever you're doing for him must be helping. Just keep a close eye on those growths in case they beging to grow again.

Best wishes!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi kelly, dont know it seems my do now has his condition improving hes appearing not to be in pains again he can eat now and have fun with his friends.

you see in malawi they only advise to bath the dog but we tried to feed him lots of vegs and few meat he seems to have improved and those growth they have disapeared

-- Contributed by: stephen mmodzi

Hi Stephen,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's gum problem. I think it's important to at least have a vet take a look at your dog's gums to determine whether this is truly a case of mouth cancer. It might also simply be gum disease, something that is easier to treat. Perhaps your vet will know of a way to get cancer treatment for your dog if he truly needs it. As far as I know, any holistic therapies are designed to support the immune system, but they aren't effective in bringing about a cure for the condition. Hopefully one of our visitors will have more suggestions for you.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes for a happy outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog has also developed that, he has some white overgrowth in his gums he is not happy and jovial and i have been failing to have him open his mouth he only does when he wishes, at times like when he wiggles if am back from office, now the problem is in my country malawi(africa) i cant access to chemothearpy or high tech opps. can i get any medicnes or vitamins i can give him instead or antibiotic which ones?

-- Contributed by: stephen mmodzi

Hi Susie,

Did the vet fully explain what to expect from the radiation treatments? Did you feel comfortable enough to ask him questions? It's extremely important to have good communication and trust with the vet you're working with. If you feel comfortable with this person, write down all the questions you can think of and schedule an appointment to discuss them. A good vet will want you to feel fully informed about what lies ahead so you can make the right decision for your dog.

If this vet truly makes you feel uncomfortable, it would be a good idea to get a second opinion from another vet. My own questions would be about how high a chance does the radition have to provide a cure. Will my dog feel sick during the treatments? Will he feel pain? How likely is it that the cancer will return even after the treatments? At twelve years old, your dog may not respond as well to treatments as he would have at six.

The answers to these questions should give you an idea of whether radiation therapy is worth what your dog will go through. Just be aware that if you do forego the treatment, there will likely come a time when it will be kinder to euthanize your pet rather than let him linger on and die naturally.

I'm so sorry to hear about the predicament you and your dog face, but I hope these suggestions give you some direction. Best wishes for the best possible outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I have a 12 year lab/retriever/rott mix who has just been diagnosed with peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The surgery to remove the lump, which is on his front leg, was unsuccessful in removing all the cancer cells surrounding the lump. The oncologist has suggested 8-9 weeks, 3 times per week, of radiation treatment. When I asked him if I declined treatment and just let him live out his life without radiation, he looked at me like I was some kind of murderer. Will you give me your opinion on this matter involving a dog this age? Thank you so much, Susie

-- Contributed by: Susie

Hi Krissy,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis, and I understand your reluctance to put a 12-year-old dog through a surgery. How does your vet feel about performing the operation? If he/she feels your dog is a good candidate for a successful surgery, you might want to reconsider your decision.

That said, it may be beneficial to gently rinse your dog's mouth with a mild solution of lukewarm saltwater to help remove some of the odor. I'd also advice continuing to brush her teeth as long as you're careful not to irritate the growth. I don't think this will provide a complete cure for the odor, but hopefully it will reduce it to a level you can tolerate. Don't hesitate to also ask your vet for suggestions.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's condition.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 12 yr old Basset Hound who was diagnosed with mouth cancer back in January. She seems to be doing fine, the tumor has grown but she doesn't seem to be in any pain or hasn't lost any weight. The only problem that my family and I are having is that the tumor smells rancid, we can barely stand the smell. Is there anything to help keep the smell to a minimum? breather mints? brushing her teeth? Removing the tumor isn't really a option just because we don't think she would ever fully recover from the surgery.

-- Contributed by: Krissy Magown

Hello Linda,

I'm so sorry to hear what your Scottie is going through. I hope it's some comfort that he's lived a fairly long life so far, and at least you know his time is drawing near and you get a chance to savor these last few weeks. Not every dog lover gets that opportunity.

I'm sorry there's nothing more the vet can do, but I do think you've made a very brave choice to intervene once your pet's suffering becomes to much to bear. It is a very unselfish decision, and I have done the same thing once when I was in your position. It's a tough thing to go through, but at least you know you've done all you can for your friend. Take some pictures now while your dog is still feeling relatively normal. You'll be glad to have them later on.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello:

My 13 year 7 month old male Scottish Terrier was just diagnosed with cancer on the back part of his tongue. He had a sarcoma on the upper soft palate of his mouth removed about 1.5 years ago. The margins were clear but thin.

The veterinarian said there is nothing that can be done to eliminate the cancer on Mac's tongue.

I am told he may have three weeks, probably less to live. I will not let him suffer and will use euthanasia.

His kidneys, liver, and pancreas are doing very well. Also, his lungs are clear.

What are your comments?

Thank you.

-- Contributed by: Linda Bartolotta

so umm what are the signs of dog cancer because my dog has several lumps on is mouth (inside)

Hi Paige,

Watch for the signs listed in the section above titled "Detection and Treatment". Some dogs exhibit more signs than others, but any type of unusual growth in a dog's mouth should be investigated by a vet. To be on the safe side, I'd make an appointment right away. The growth could be benign (hopefully), but you need to know for sure what you're dealing with.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog will be okay.

-- Contributed by: paige

Hi, I have a 14 year old female beagle. I recently noticed she had a reddish cauliflowerish looking growth on the inside of her lip. (She has been getting pretty lumpy lately- the vet said all were benign and a sign of age) This one, we had checked right away and the vet said, just from looking that this was very very bad, and that this type of tumor advanced quickly. She advised us we have only 4 weeks to 3 months max left.

My question is whether we should have the growth removed? Would this buy us some quality time? What are the chances this type of growth could be benign? We didn't have it biopsied, the vet seemed pretty certain. thanks for any help- Heather

Hi Heather,

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation.

Some tumors obviously look malignant to a trained eye, so your vet is probably right when she says she believes the growth is malignant. If this were my dog, I would seek a consultation with a canine oncologist before I accepted a diagnosis that the tumor was untreatable. Your current vet may very well be right, but she's not a specialist so I don't think a second opinion would hurt. The growth may be operable, but it depends a lot on what kind of blood vessels are involved. Your vet should be able to refer you to such a specialist.

Thank you for your question, and I do hope there is some way your dog can be helped.

-- Contributed by: Heather

Our dog is a 11 year old Shih Tzu named Bubba. He is getting older and he's showing it, he had a bad black tooth that hurt him, so we got it pulled and now the whole half of his mouth droops and he has a big swolen lump in it that bleeds. He wont let anybody open his mouth enough to get a good look. It's so hard to see him like this, I've hade him most of my life and I'm scared it might be life threatening. My mom says it might be a tumor but we don't know too much about it...what could it be?? And is it too late to treat it??

Hi Felicia,

I'm sorry to hear your dog has been having such a difficult time. Yes, it's possible the growth you see is a mouth tumor, but it could also be an abscess spawned by that bad tooth that was removed. If a pocket of bacteria was left behind and closed over, this could be the case.

It's very important that you take your dog back to the vet for examination. If needed, the vet can sedate your dog in order to get a look inside at what's going on. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to address whatever is going on, so make the appointment right away.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Felicia

I have a 2 year old British Bulldog and a couple of days ago I noticed a pink growth in his mouth on his upper jaw but right a the back almost in the throat. The tumor is only slightly raised/fairly flat and smooth looking, the area is probably the size of a 5c piece. I only noticed this because it was a hot day and he had his mouth open and was panting. I haven't noticed him behaving any differently, he seems his usually happy self. I have taken him to the vet where they took a biopsy. The results haven't come back yet but I am very concerned about him. Is it harder for this to be treated because of the position of the tumor? Do you think that it is growing inside his head? Can radiation or chemo treat the problem or just delay it? Please help me, I need all the information I can get. Regards Tania

Expert Reply

Hi Tania,

I understand how difficult this situation must be for you. I'd probably be tearing my own hair out, but the best thing you can do is wait for your vet's report.

It sounds to me as though you caught this growth in the early stages, but only your vet can confirm this. Furthermore, judging by the fact that you were able to see the growth while your dog's mouth was open probably means it will also be easy for your vet to reach during treatment.

If you did catch the growth early, then your dog's chances for a full recovery are far better than if the growth had been allowed to continue unchecked. Remember, this could just be a benign growth, not a malignant one, so this isn't necessarily a worst case scenario.

My honest advice? Don't do anymore research about the topic right now. The more you read, the more upset you'll become thinking about the possibilities. My grandmother would have called that "borrowing trouble". Try to keep your focus on loving and caring for your dog and your daily routine. Your vet is going to give you the most accurate answers as soon as they are available.

Thank you for your questions, and please know that you have my very best wishes for a good outcome.

-- Contributed by: Tania

Hi Andrew,

Do you know how old your friend's dog is? A vet will usually compare both age and current health when accessing whether a dog can safely make it through surgery. Some vets prefer to err on the side of caution, while other vets are willing to take the surgical risk if the dog is likely to die from the obstructing tumor anyway.

That said, some tumors are treatable and others are not. Depending on the type of tumor, vets have the option to:

Remove as much of the tumor as possible
Administer chemotherapy
administer radiation therapy
Combine treatment from any of the options listed above.

Sadly, all of these treatments can be very expensive, and not every dog owner can afford them. Sometimes a tumor is so invasive that it isn't possible to treat it with any degree of success, and all of the treatment options listed above can be very hard on an already sick dog.

This is where quality of life issues usually come in. Is it worth putting the dog through treatment if the prognosis isn't good? Would it be better to euthanize the dog if it seems to be suffering? These are questions best discussed between an owner and vet to reach the best decision for a beloved pet.

I think it's a good idea for your friend to go back to the vet and discuss all of the points I've listed here. If your friend doesn't feel like he/she is getting complete information and guidance, it may be time to seek a second opinion from another veterinary clinic.

I truly hope there is a way to help your friend's dog. You all have my very best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

ok my friends dog had a lump on the inside of its mouth so the vet said there was somthing wrong with the teeth (absess teath or sumthing) after the removal the lump was still there. 2 or 3 weeks later they said that it was a non-cancerous tumor. however because of the age of the dog they cant remove it cause the anistetic could be fatal to the dog. about a week after that my firends mom noticed it spreading to the roof of the dogs mouth. they immediatly took the dog back to the vet and the vet said that the tumors could grow and the dog could mabe die. my friend and his mom do not want the dog to die pain fully we are worried that the dog will sufficate or stop eating (sorry about the morbid thoughts). we do not know if there are any other options other than surgery. every thing els is fine with the dog, it is happy and wags its tail all the time. the only thing wrong with it is the tumor. the tumor seems to itch alot and may be painfull it looks like a red bubble and is hard like a rock. she(the dog) has not been eating alot. we put pancakes with suryp on the ground and the dog took 1 little nibble and then turned around and lied down. we do not kno if the dog has lost appitite or has in pain cause of the tumor. if u know of any treatments other than surgery or any suggestions as to what to do if treatment is not availabe pleas contact me my email is afavaloro11@yahoo.com

-- Contributed by: andrew

You and Caper certainly have my prayers. Keep us posted.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

in January upon arrival -- Caper had odor coming from mouth -- vetting included dental with extraction of several teeth and thought that to be cause -- this past week noticed odor and immediately put on antibiotics -- today extraction of tooth done but vet called concerned about possible issue of squamous cell cancer -- doing biopsy and hoping that issue is only infection related but trying to prepare for worse -- this precious boy is such a happy fellow -- he needs only a glance from a human to wag his tail passionately -- please keep this little fellow in your prayers for a full recovery -- he lived his first ten years in a puppy mill and want only that the rest of his life is only full of sunshine and tail wags

-- Contributed by: Joanne

Hi Anne,

Your vet should certainly be the expert on this one, but it would seem prudent to send the mass removed from the tongue for pathology. Malignant tumors look different from benign, so perhaps your vet does indeed know what he/she is looking at.

Could the two lumps be related? It's a possibility, cancer cells blastocize, that means they break away from the mass and travel in the bloodstream to other parts of the body.

I think it's time to have a direct conversation with your vet about your concerns. Hopefully this will give you enough information about your dog's condition to put lingering doubts to rest.

My best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi There, My 10 yr old Staffy has just had a lump removed from the base of his tongue. My vet is not sending it off for pathology but rather keeping it in solution for future reference if any further lumps develop. My dog also had a melanoma removed from his chest a few months ago and my vet did the same with this lump. What are your thoughts? Cld the two be related and should I have them sent for pathology? Thanks Anne

-- Contributed by: Anne

I can't say whether it's a cancerous growth, but tumors can sometimes grow rather quickly. Perhaps it's not a growth, but just an abcess. I'll keep you and your dog in my thoughts, and please let us know what it turns out to be.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

ACTUALLY ITS POINTING OUT TO THE SIDE I THOUGHT IT WAS HER TOOTH BUT ITS NOT MY GROOMER SAID IT WAS A GROWTH TODAY SO IM TAKING HER TOMORROW TO THE VET EARLY MORNING....I WAS GONE FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS TO TEXAS AND MY UNCLE WAS TAKIN CARE OF HER....WAS THAT ENOUGH TIME FOR IT TO GROW AND BE CANCEROUS?

-- Contributed by: CC

I HAVE A LONG HAIRED CHIHUAHUA N SHE HAS A GROWTH ON HER GUM SHE JUS GOT IT AND I AM TAKING HER TO THE VET IN THE MORNING ASAP! IM SO SCARED FOR HER I JUS HOPE AND PRAY ITS NOT CANCER! I HOPE THAT THEY CAN JUS CUT IT OFF AND SHE'LL B BACK TO NORMAL! I LOVE MY PARIS!!!

-- Contributed by: cc

Tumors are full of blood vessels, so it's possible the mass has grown large enough to rub against one of her teeth. Have you vet take a look at it at her next appointment.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog has mouth cancer, and lately when she sleeps, it bleeds... what causes it to bleed?

-- Contributed by: brandi
> Return to article