When a tumor develops in a dog's mouth it can be frightening for the owner and painful for the dog. A tumor does not automatically mean that your dog has cancer; however, the tumor needs to be examined so that a diagnosis can be made as soon as possible.
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Oral Tumors
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If your dog has a tumor in his mouth, including on the mandible (lower jaw), maxilla bone (upper jaw) or tongue, he needs to be examined by a veterinarian. An X-ray of the tumor will need to be made to see how deep the tumor is embedded into the jaw, then a biopsy of the tumor will be performed. The tissue sample will be analyzed by a pathologist to decide if the tumor is malignant or benign, and a prognosis will be given, according to mypetsdentist.com.
Surgery
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Whether the dog needs surgery is dependant on the size, location and stage of the tumor. Your veterinarian will be able to identify this information and decide if surgery is needed to remove the tumor and how much of the jaw will need to be removed.
Mandibulectomy
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When the tumor is embedded deeply into the jaw, a mandibulectomy may be needed. This is when part of the lower jaw is removed. The majority of oral tumors do affect the lower jaw, and the jaw will need to be removed to provide a safe margin for cancer free cells. If a large segment of the mandible is removed, your dog may experience excessive salivation and a drooping of the tongue; however, the dog will quickly adapt to these changes.
Canine Oral Cancer
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Acvs.org states that 6 percent of canine cancer stems from oral tumors and is the forth most common cancer. There are four cancers that are the most common of canine oral cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, fibroscarcoma, malignant melanoma and acanthomatous epulis. Tumors that have grown to over 2 cm in diameter and have made their way to the lymph nodes give the dog a poor chance of survival.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of a cancerous tumor in your dog̵7;s jaw include bad breath, difficulty chewing, increased salivation, bloody discharge from the mouth or nose and loose teeth. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms you need tell your veterinarian immediately, according to acvs.org̵2;the sooner the cancer is found, the better the prognosis.
Treatment
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According to mypetsdentist.com, the best treatment for an oral tumor is to first identify a proper diagnosis, followed by oral surgery. Other medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy are also an option. Immunotherapy has proven to be the best treatment for oral cancer.
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