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Dog has mouth growth, salivating, still eating. Emergency vet now?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 5 years and 3 months old | 68 lbs

My dog (pit / lab mix) has a growth or swollen sore on the roof of his mouth behind his 2 front teeth. He's having trouble closing his mouth b/c it's uncomfortable and salivating a lot, but he's still eating and drinking water. Should I take him to emergency vet right away or will he be ok to wait until tomorrow to go to our regular vet?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on June 25, 2017

He does look uncomfortable but if he is willing and able to eat and drink he should be ok overnight. The pictures are not very clear but the lump does not look big enough to cause any obstruction and he should be fully assessed for a jaw injury also

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Emily Fukuzato, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 22, 2019
Hello, I can understand your concern about this. There is a short list of things this may be and I would recommend having it looked at right away if you are able to. It MAY be: enlarged lymphnode (usually to the right or left behind the jaw, not directly center under the chin), a sialocele (blocked salivary duct), abscess (directly related to a puncture or bite would that may have been too small to notice) - if he had been playing with or in direct contact with another dog in the past few days this may be the most likely cause. If it is nonpainful, he can eat, swallow, drink water without any problems, and seems otherwise perfectly normal than waiting until tomorrow seems reasonable. however, if he is having difficulty eating, swallowing, seems painful, or even lethargic (could be related to a fever), he should be looked at today if possible.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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