Oral Cancers In Dogs

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer in Dogs

There are no definitive causes of oral cancers; therefore, early detection is vital. Brushing your dog’s teeth every day not only helps keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy—it will also familiarize you with your canine’s mouth. By brushing their teeth regularly, you are more likely to notice the signs of oral cancer, such as if something looks or smells different. Annual dental exams by a veterinarian are also important. During professional dental cleaning by a veterinarian, your pet will be anesthetized. This allows your veterinarian to take full mouth dental radiographs (x-rays) and thoroughly examine and clean your pet’s teeth above and below the gum line. Any tumors or growths forming in the mouth will be seen by the veterinarian. Any and all growths should be checked by a veterinarian for testing. Cancerous tumors can metastasize, or spread, into other parts of the body if left untreated. Typically, oral cancers are found in geriatric canines. Occurrences of the sickness in males and females are generally equal and there is no breed predilection.

Watch for the following clinical signs of oral cancer:

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Difficulty eating
• Drooling
• Head-shy
• Lethargy (may also indicate something other than oral tumors)
• Not wanting to eat on one side
• Ropey saliva with or without blood
• Weight loss (may also indicate something other than oral tumors)

Diagnosis and Staging for Oral Tumors in Dogs

Along with bloodwork, your veterinarian may do a fine-needle aspiration or a biopsy of the tumor and, in some cases, the lymph nodes to confirm whether it is cancerous. If the sample taken is confirmed as cancer, the next step is to determine the stage of cancer. Your pet may need radiographs or a CT scan of the head or chest area. This is done in order to see if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. During this time, your primary care veterinarian may refer your dog to a board-certified veterinary oncologist for the tests and to consult on treatment options. Veterinary oncologists are trained to diagnose and treat cancers in pets.

Treatment Options for Dogs with Mouth Tumors

A cancer diagnosis can feel devastating, but the good news is that your canine has options. There are typically two methods for treating oral cancers and tumors in pets.

Oral Surgery

In many cases, surgery can be performed to remove the tumor if possible. Surgery requires that margins around the tumor be taken out along with the tumor. The extent of surgery depends on the type of cancer and location of the tumor, and often requires removing part or all of the jaw, teeth, and/or surrounding bone.

Advanced Radiation Therapy

If surgery is not an option or the entire tumor cannot be removed, the dog may be a good candidate for advanced radiation therapy, or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Due to its ability to deliver high doses of radiation with sub-millimeter precision, SRS is an ideal option when a complete resection of the tumor through surgery is not possible. For example, Pet Hero Snickers was a 12-year-old Shih Tsu that was diagnosed with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma. Neither surgery nor conventional radiation therapy was an option for him due to the location of his tumor. Snickers received SRS treatment, which cured his cancer, giving him three more years with his family.

Combination Surgery and Radiation Treatment

In some cases, a combination of treatment options is used. The animal may need to undergo surgery for removal of the oral tumor followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. In cases of oral melanoma, immunotherapy or vaccines may also be used to treat the cancer. Oral tumors come in many types and location, so the prognosis is dependent on the individual pet’s specific situation. There are new advancements like SRS and immunotherapy developing rapidly in veterinary medicine, so we recommend that you explore all treatment options with a board-certified veterinary oncologist.

It’s essential to provide your dog with love, comfort, and support during this difficult time. If your canine is having trouble eating, try feeding your pet soft foods. Make sure to give your dog plenty of fresh water and correctly administer any pain medicine that’s prescribed by your vet.

The Prognosis for Dogs With Oral Cancer

The prognosis for canines with this illness depends on a few factors, including the tumor type, whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, and the chosen treatment option.

Questions? We are here to help.

If your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, contact our Pet Advocates at (833) PET-HERO. Our team members are ready to help answer your questions. You can also view veterinary cancer care centers across the country that are supported by PetCure Oncology.

^{1, 2} “Oral Tumors,” ACVS.org, https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/oral-tumors