Canine Mouth Cancer

Cancerous tumors do grow in dogs' mouths, but it is impossible to tell the nature of the tumor by simply looking at it. All unusual growths and lesions in your dog's mouth should be pointed out to your veterinarian.

  1. Types

    • Several types of tumors can develop in a dog's mouth. The most common benign tumor is an epulis, a tumor of the periodontal ligament. Of the malignant tumors, melanoma is the most common.

    Effects

    • Malignant melanomas metastasize early and are locally invasive. By the time a diagnosis is made, cancer cells have already spread to the lungs and to regional lymph nodes along the neck.

    Identification

    • Melanomas generally appear as dark lumps inside the mouth. They are mostly seen in older dogs and often affect the bones of the jaw as well as the gums.

    Symptoms

    • Veterinarians suspect dogs develop cancer by inhaling carcinogens. Symptoms of mouth cancer include drooling, bleeding from the mouth, facial swelling, decreased appetite and bad breath.

    Treatment

    • Treatments for mouth cancer include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, cryosurgery and, in some cases, homeopathic remedies. If the tumor occurs on the soft palate or hard palate, surgery may be complicated and ineffective.

    Affected Breeds

    • According to Dog Health Guide approximately 50 percent of mouth tumors are found in poodles, cocker spaniels and older dachshunds.