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Swollen gums in dog.

Species: Dog
Breed: cocker spaniel
Age: 11-15 years
in end june of 2009 , gingivitus like symptoms appeared in my dog . the vet did ultrasonic scaling and removed quite a bit of dental plaque/ tartar around his teeth/gums and put in on a course of antibiotics but after about a month the gingivitus did not go away . he then gave him steroids but to no avail.

in september we put him on homeopathy which and glycerne with two crushed tablets of betnosone and this made the gingivitus receded but not fully . at the same time his lymphnodes under the jaw had also swollen up.

in the first week of october we did a FNAC and an mouth swab which did not show any lymphosarcoma . we also observed a tumour like growth and that has been removed for a biopsy for which we will get the results tomorrow

his gums/lips are swollen inflamed and so are his lips and they bleed a bit . he eats alright and has not lost weight . what do u think is wrong with him and what treatment options do i have.

regards
vikas chander
new delhi
india


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi Vikas...thanks so much for your question about Amber.

This is a tough one for me to answer without actually seeing your dog, but I can give you a few of my thoughts.

I don't like the fact that his gums are swollen and that his lymph nodes are swollen as well. It sounds like your vet aspirated the lymph nodes to see if this was lymphosarcoma which is a cancer of the lymph nodes. However, if this was negative I think the biggest concern is cancer inside the mouth or on the gums.

An infection could cause lymph nodes to be swollen, but with everything you told me an infection does not seem to be as likely as a cancer. I am assuming your vet has tried courses of antibiotics, but if not, this is not a bad idea.

There are several different types of cancers that can appear on the mouth and gums. However, unfortunately mouth cancer is often very aggressive and difficult to treat. The biopsy which was sent away should really tell you which type of cancer it is.

The fact that Amber is still eating is good. Usually in a case like this our goal is to keep the dog comfortable and keep him eating.

If the results do come back as cancerous, the report should tell us what type of cancer it is and your vet will give you treatment options. If the cancer has caused the lymph nodes to swell then this means that simply removing the cancer will not cure it. Your vet may talk about chemotherapy options or possibly even radiation if that is available in your area. However, most mouth cancers are difficult to treat.

I'm sorry for the bad news. I hope Amber does ok.

Dr. Marie.




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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.