Is my senior dog's cheek lump related to her dental problems?

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for the pictures I see what you are worried about. Possible causes of the mass are: a benign over growth of gum tissue, an epulis, or cancerous growths. Some epulids are: Fibromatous, ossifying, and acanthomatous. Acanthomatous epuli, in particular, are highly invasive to the bone and are usually located on the front part of the lower jaw. It is sadly impossible to tell from just looking at the mass to say what it could be. I recommend you make an appointment with your Vet. Lucky will have to go under anesthesia, have dental X-rays taken of the area and the mass biopsied or removed, if able. I hope this helps! I wish Lucky the best!

Poor Lily! These lumps look quite irritated and ulcerated. She may already be experiencing some degree of pain and discomfort from these lumps, as indicated by her chewing on them. Other signs of pain in dogs include a decreased appetite, lethargy, and abnormal vocalization. When it comes to surgery, age is not a disease, so if Lily's physical exam and pre-operative blood testing is normal, she is likely to do well with surgical removal of these lumps. It may be worth discussing surgical options, as well as pain medication options, with Lily's vet. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Hi, and thanks for your question. Although a picture of it would help to give you more specific answers, this lump/growth should be ideally examined by your veterinarian to have a definitive diagnosis. Your vet will examine it and possibly perform with an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy. Differentials would include skin cyst, infections or benign or malignant type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

In a dog of Pixie's age it could be a benign fatty tumor (lipoma), local infection or inflammation or a malignant growth. You will need to have her physically examined by your veterinarian for a definitive diagnose. A fine needle aspirate (FNA) can be done to collect samples for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis after which the appropriate treatment can be discussed with the vet.

In a dog Ellie's age, it would be very unlikely that this lump would be malignant. It doesn't look big, and if it's not affecting her eating, then it likely doesn't need to be removed. Saying all that, I can't say anything for certain without seeing her in person. I would have it checked out by a vet to be safe. I hope this helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think you are talking about something called gingival hyperplasia. If it looks very similar to the one that was removed and tested, it’s probably the same thing. (Though we can never guarantee as some kids of cancer can look similar.) Usually there is nothing to do treatment or prevention-wise except remove them at routine dental cleaning. And I do recommend routine dental cleaning as tartar can build up dramatically under that gum tissue. Best of luck to you and Lilly!

Hi Meytal! What you are seeing on Lucy's cheek could be a cyst, an abscess, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. As long as she is eating and drinking normally, behaving normally, and going to the bathroom normally, it's not something I would get too worried about just yet. Certainly it needs to be examined and treated by your vet, but I wouldn't considered it an emergency as long as everything else is normal. Have Lucy seen by a vet this week for it :-)