6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

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tinklebell
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6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by tinklebell »

Hi

I recently discovered a pink bump on the upper gum, above the left Canine, of my 6.5 year old dog. The bump feels firm and has a smooth surface and a little "cloudy." He doesn't seem to show any signs of distress when I feel it. He is eating well and appears well.

We brought him down to the vet today and the vet says 'it doesn't look good'. He suggested putting him on 2 weeks of antibiotics (Clavanox) and wait to see if the bump subsides. Otherwise, he would order a biopsy under GA. We did some research online and based on what we read, we are crossing fingers that it could be an epulis, nothing more serious.

I am rubbing Manuka Honey UMF20+ on him for about 3 times a days now.

Wondering if anyone has similar experiences with their dogs or able to share some useful info or tips related to canine oral growths/sores.

I will be uploading some photos shortly.

Would very much appreciate your thoughts please! I am worried sick!
tinklebell
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by tinklebell »

Photo of Upper Gum bump
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tinklebell
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by tinklebell »

Another view
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CarolC
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by CarolC »

It's really good that you noticed it while it is still small. The only thing I can say that is even remotely of any help is I had a mini-dachshund with oral melanoma and it had the most revolting smell of anything I think I've ever smelled in my life, it made the hair stand up on my arm. That was how I found it, the smell. So no smell is probably a good thing. The vet was able to remove it entirely and we had no further problems, but the pictures you posted do not resemble what my dog had. I hope when they remove the bump he won't have to lose his tooth, but the fact that you found it so early means there is less to remove. I hope it all works out for the best.

http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/view ... 419#p20419

I found a website with some good pictures, you may have already seen it.

http://allpetsdental.com/veterinary-den ... tumors.php
Bobbie
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by Bobbie »

Years ago I had a Lab with a lump (lower jaw) and although it biopsied benign every time, X-rays convinced the oncologists that it wasn't benign (and it was eating up bone) so she had radiation to treat it. Lived 11 1/2 years after that. But I still don't know if it was or wasn't really cancerous.

Definitely get it biopsied, though, as it is treatable if caught early if malignant, but they do tend to metastasize.
Bobbie Mayer
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critters
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by critters »

Even if the tooth has to go that's not a big deal; they're fine even with no teeth at all! I agree that's it's great that you found it while it's still small. It sure is a funny looking thing--it doesn't really look like an abscessed tooth.
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critters
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by critters »

PS--GREAT pic, by the way. You did a beautiful job with that, and I know how hard it usually is to get a nice, defined pic of such a thing! :smart:
tinklebell
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by tinklebell »

My dog is a very fine boy. He doesn't struggle when I try to take photos of the bump. I am going to bring him down to another vet later this evening for an extra opinion. I am praying very hard it is a benign epulis. Depending on what the other vets we bring him to say, biopsy is likely the very next course of action. That means he will have to be on GA. My dog has been with me for the past 6.5 years and has never undergone any invasive procedure. I am really worried whether if he is able to cope well. As it is, this boy doesn't like to be away from me and doesn't behave well in an unfamiliar environment. He gets very stressed.

Where we are, there are no canine oral specialist. Just wondering if you guys know of any specialist vets over at your country that is open to the idea of doing a photo consult?
tinklebell
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by tinklebell »

Hi just wanted to update that I brought my dog to another vet for a second opinion just moments ago. The vet examined and touched the lesion and said it looked like a gingival hyperplasia and that if so, there is nothing much to worry about. He also said there is no necessity to give the antibiotics. He asked that we measure the lesion twice a week and monitor it closely. If it grows, to bring him down immediately. Otherwise, to review in a month's time. He is also supportive of manually applying manuka UMF++ to the lesion. I feel much more reassured now.
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critters
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Re: 6.5 year old dog has a bump on gum - Very Worried

Post by critters »

Watching it closely seems like a perfectly valid thing to do.
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