26 Jan Oral Masses vs. Infections: How Veterinarians Tell the Difference
Abnormalities in a pet’s mouth are not unusual findings; however, determining the cause is almost never as easy as taking a quick peek. Although there are many different causes for oral masses, almost all growths in the mouth look the same on the surface, regardless of the cause.
Signs of Oral Infection or a Mouth Mass in Pets
Symptoms of oral masses and oral infections can be similar. The most common signs owners notice include:
- facial swelling
- oral discomfort/pawing at the face
- bloody drool
- mouth growths
- foul odor
Oral Infections vs. Oral Masses: Common Causes and What They Mean
Oral infections are most often associated with dental disease, tooth root abscesses, retained foreign material, retained tooth roots, or oral wounds. These cases may improve with dental treatment and antibiotics.
Oral masses, by contrast, are abnormal tissue growths that may be benign or malignant. Some oral tumors in dogs and cats are malignant and invasive. Melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and fibrosarcoma make up the three most common malignant oral tumors in dogs. ‘Malignant’ means that these tumors have the capability and are likely to invade surrounding tissue, and may also spread to other organs.
Tumors in the mouth may also be benign, meaning that they invade surrounding bone minimally, if at all, and will not spread to other organs. With benign tumors, complete removal is curative. Appearance alone cannot determine the cause of an oral mass.
Diagnosing Oral Tumors vs. Infections: Biopsy and CT Scan Imaging
Antibiotics can be appropriate initially if infection is suspected, but they do not treat tumors. In fact, if the issue is a tooth root abscess, antibiotics are only a band-aid- the symptoms will improve for a time, but not resolve completely until the affected tooth is surgically removed. A temporary improvement may occur in a cancerous mass if inflammation or a secondary infection is reduced, even while the mass continues to grow. Concern increases when a lesion fails to resolve with treatment, returns after antibiotics are discontinued, enlarges, bleeds easily, or causes loose or displaced teeth. In these situations, additional diagnostics are necessary.
Biopsy is the key to diagnosing oral masses. To perform a biopsy, a veterinary dentist will remove a small piece of tissue from the suspect area and send it to a veterinary pathologist for evaluation. The pathologist will then return a report with their diagnosis. Visual examination alone cannot provide this level of certainty.
One of the more important aspects of diagnosing an oral tumor is imaging. Particularly important when an oral tumor is suspected, a cone beam CT scan shows the mass margins more definitively and can help determine whether a mass is benign or malignant. Many oral tumors invade bone early, even when masses appear small on the surface. Imaging helps determine bone involvement, the extent of disease, and whether surgery is feasible. It also assists in differentiating patterns of bone change caused by infection versus cancer.
Oral infections and tumors are impossible to effectively differentiate on visual examination. When a biopsy and CT scan are recommended, the goal is to achieve a diagnosis as quickly as possible so that, if a surgical treatment plan is elected, it can have the best possible outcome.
Veterinary Dental Care in Colorado Springs
At Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery in Colorado Springs, we are passionate about treating oral disease. After completion of advanced training in dentistry and oral surgery, we have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and surgically treat your pet’s oral tumor, whether it is infectious, benign, or malignant.
If you are concerned that there may be an abnormal growth in your pet’s mouth, please don’t hesitate to call and schedule a consultation. Early detection can lead to more options and better outcomes!
