Lumps on a dog's gums
Lumps on the gums can be difficult to spot but definitely aren’t normal. There are lots of different types of growth that can develop in the mouth. Many are harmless but some types can be serious, or can cause problems if not treated promptly, so you should always get any suspicious areas checked by your vet. Due to their location, oral lumps are often quite big by the time they can be seen, so they should be checked sooner rather than later and not monitored at home.
Warning signs to look out for
Lumps on the gums don’t always cause symptoms, especially as most aren’t painful. Signs that should prompt a check with a vet include:
- Discomfort or difficulty eating (such as eating slowly or with the head one one side)
- Excessive drooling
- Bad smell from the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth or bloody saliva
- Tooth loss
- Weight loss
Many of these symptoms are the same as symptoms of dental disease. Not all gum lumps will be visible on examination so your vet may recommend your dog is put under general anaesthetic for a proper examination and treatment of any dental disease. Occasionally, we believe a dog has dental disease but find an unexpected growth once they are asleep.
Common causes
There are lots of different types of growth that can appear as a lump on the gum. Epulis is an old term which can be used to describe any lump on the gums, though generally refers to none-malignant growths.
Gingival hyperplasia is the proper name for thickening of the gums. This is often also described as “overgrowth” of the gums as they may start to cover the teeth. It usually affects multiple areas of the mouth rather than being a single defined lump. Gingival hyperplasia can be caused by genetics, dental disease, or as a side-effect of some medications.
- Benign growths:Benign oral tumours typically grow from the ligaments or tissues surrounding the teeth. They most commonly occur at the front of the mouth around the incisors. The most common types are:
- Peripheral odontogenic fibromas (used to be called fibromatous epulis): These are common in dogs and look like firm masses next to the tooth. They grow slowly and don’t spread, so are usually straightforward to remove surgically.
- Acanthomatous ameloblastoma (used to be called acanthomatous epulis): These are slightly less common but look very similar. They don’t spread but can grow quickly and invade the jaw, so more extensive surgery is usually required to remove them.
- Malignant growths:Malignant (aggressive) oral tumours tend to grow from the soft tissues of the mouth. They most often grow at the back of the mouth, so are often progressed at the point they are diagnosed. The most common types are:
- Malignant melanoma: This is the most common malignant oral tumour in dogs. They appear as fleshy lumps on the gums, tongue or cheek, and can be black or non-pigmented. They can range from surgically treatable to extremely aggressive.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: These are seen more commonly in cats but also occur in dogs. They can look like lumps or ulcers, often bleed easily, and can be found on the lips, cheeks, tongue or tonsils. They can also cause teeth to become loose, mimicking dental disease. Roughly 30% of them will spread elsewhere in the body, and they can be challenging to remove surgically.
- Fibrosarcoma: These occur most often in large-breed dogs. They can be extensive, and often grow from the upper jaw, especially the roof of the mouth (hard palate). Fibrosarcomas are sadly very difficult to treat.
How are lumps on the gums diagnosed?
Most lumps can’t be identified just by looking at them. Your vet will probably recommend taking a surgical biopsy and sending it to the lab for testing. This will tell them what type of growth the lump is. Depending on how big the lump is, and how it looks, the biopsy may involve taking a piece of the lump or may be able to remove the entire lump. Once the results are back, your vet will be able to discuss whether any further surgery is required to stop the lump from growing back.
What you should do if you spot a lump on your dog’s gums
If you spot a lump on your dog’s gums, it’s best to get this checked by a vet sooner rather than later. Although lots of gum lumps can be treated, the bigger they are the harder this can be. Also, some gum lumps are related to dental disease, so it’s best to be sure your dog isn’t in pain. Gum lumps aren’t usually an emergency, so there is no need to seek immediate veterinary treatment unless the lump is actively bleeding and not stopping.
Summary
Gum growths can occur in any dog, at any age. There are lots of types of gum lump and they can’t easily be distinguished from examination alone. Although lots of gum growths are not aggressive, they can grow large and become uncomfortable so getting any lumps promptly checked by a vet is always advisable.
