sarnewfie
New member
Penny will be 10 next month. After the loss of Morgan i checked everyone over completly from head to toe. I always check their mouth on a regular basis. With Morgan going to the vet frequently in the last two weeks, i have not gone over anyone. There is a lump on her gumline in between teeth but the outside of the teeth, the size of a dime.
This is what i emailed a friend.....
I just want to forward this information to you. We sent stuff to pathology. The vet is not to worried due to what she saw draw into the syringe. I told her I do not want at this age, to have part of penny bone cut out. She said if it gets large and bothersome we can cut a lot of it out knowing it will grow back, we can cut it back again if need be. She is not overly concerned so I feel so much better. ok well penny is penny, there will be a huge hole when she leaves me. She was put in the van, i forgot she is leash obsessed once in the van if one is attached she will chew thru it. Well, i had her on my favorite leather lead and while driving to the vet i am wondering why is she so quiet? why is she being so good?:sunflower: LOL
Well she chewed thru my leather lead. :whistling:
The good thing, she will be with me for a while. :tequila:
My vet told me this yesterday when i picked up Morgan. The results are suspicous for epulis. She said we have to remove the lump and send it in to find out which of the 3 forms it is. i have decided not to do that. I would rather wait until it gets large enough to remove, then hack it off. My vet is ok with this due to her experience that the majority of these she sees, and she sees a lot of them in older dogs, are harmless. I am hoping that i get a few more years out of my Lucifer girl. She still to this day is a bundle of energy and keeps me on my toes. :coffeedrink:
The explanation for Epulis is here:
What is an epulis?
An epulis is the most common benign tumor of the mouth in dogs. It is usually located in the gum tissue near the incisors or canine teeth. It originates in the connective tissue that holds the teeth to the bone of the jaw. The literal translation of "epulis" is "gum boil."
There are three types of epulides (the plural for epulis):
Fibromatous: Consists of tough, fibrous tissue.
Ossifying: In addition to fibrous tissue, also contains bone cells. These may transform into cancerous tumors.
Acanthomatous: More invasive, growing into the normal bone around it and destroying it, but not metastasizing.
What causes an epulis?
The cause of epulides is unknown, but they do occur more commonly in older dogs and Boxers. They occur equally in both sexes.
What signs are associated with an epulis?
Usually, the owner simply notices a firm growth between the teeth. The tumor is usually the same color as the gum tissue, has a smooth surface, and may be attached to the gum via a peduncle (a stalk-like structure). As the epulis enlarges a dog may drool, have difficulty eating or lose his appetite, have bad breath, bleed from the area of the tumor, or even have trouble breathing depending upon the size and location of the tumor. It may push apart and misalign the adjacent teeth. There is often more than one epulis present.
How is an epulis diagnosed?
An epulis may be suspected by its location and appearance, but it is necessary to biopsy the tumor to distinguish if from other oral tumors. A pathologist will examine the tissue microscopically to determine if it is an epulis, and of what type. Other oral tumors include squamous cell carcinoma (malignant), and other benign tumors such as fibromas, lipomas, and histiocytomas.
How is an epulis treated?
Surgery is necessary to remove the epulis. A wide margin (large portion of healthy tissue around the tumor, possible including some bone) needs to be taken to assure all of the epulis is removed. If a portion remains, it will often regrow. The teeth next to the epulis usually need to be removed, as well. Large epulides may also be treated with radiation.
What is the prognosis for a dog with an epulis?
If the epulis is small and all of the tumor is removed, the prognosis is good. The larger the tumor, the more likely a recurrence or complications. Acanthomatous epulides have a more guarded prognosis since they are much more difficult to completely remove. On rare instances, radiation therapy has resulted in the tumor becoming cancerous.
Here is a pic of my Penny i took today.
http://www.fototime.com/3F594F937ED516B/standard.jpg
This is what i emailed a friend.....
I just want to forward this information to you. We sent stuff to pathology. The vet is not to worried due to what she saw draw into the syringe. I told her I do not want at this age, to have part of penny bone cut out. She said if it gets large and bothersome we can cut a lot of it out knowing it will grow back, we can cut it back again if need be. She is not overly concerned so I feel so much better. ok well penny is penny, there will be a huge hole when she leaves me. She was put in the van, i forgot she is leash obsessed once in the van if one is attached she will chew thru it. Well, i had her on my favorite leather lead and while driving to the vet i am wondering why is she so quiet? why is she being so good?:sunflower: LOL
Well she chewed thru my leather lead. :whistling:
The good thing, she will be with me for a while. :tequila:
My vet told me this yesterday when i picked up Morgan. The results are suspicous for epulis. She said we have to remove the lump and send it in to find out which of the 3 forms it is. i have decided not to do that. I would rather wait until it gets large enough to remove, then hack it off. My vet is ok with this due to her experience that the majority of these she sees, and she sees a lot of them in older dogs, are harmless. I am hoping that i get a few more years out of my Lucifer girl. She still to this day is a bundle of energy and keeps me on my toes. :coffeedrink:
The explanation for Epulis is here:
What is an epulis?
An epulis is the most common benign tumor of the mouth in dogs. It is usually located in the gum tissue near the incisors or canine teeth. It originates in the connective tissue that holds the teeth to the bone of the jaw. The literal translation of "epulis" is "gum boil."
There are three types of epulides (the plural for epulis):
Fibromatous: Consists of tough, fibrous tissue.
Ossifying: In addition to fibrous tissue, also contains bone cells. These may transform into cancerous tumors.
Acanthomatous: More invasive, growing into the normal bone around it and destroying it, but not metastasizing.
What causes an epulis?
The cause of epulides is unknown, but they do occur more commonly in older dogs and Boxers. They occur equally in both sexes.
What signs are associated with an epulis?
Usually, the owner simply notices a firm growth between the teeth. The tumor is usually the same color as the gum tissue, has a smooth surface, and may be attached to the gum via a peduncle (a stalk-like structure). As the epulis enlarges a dog may drool, have difficulty eating or lose his appetite, have bad breath, bleed from the area of the tumor, or even have trouble breathing depending upon the size and location of the tumor. It may push apart and misalign the adjacent teeth. There is often more than one epulis present.
How is an epulis diagnosed?
An epulis may be suspected by its location and appearance, but it is necessary to biopsy the tumor to distinguish if from other oral tumors. A pathologist will examine the tissue microscopically to determine if it is an epulis, and of what type. Other oral tumors include squamous cell carcinoma (malignant), and other benign tumors such as fibromas, lipomas, and histiocytomas.
How is an epulis treated?
Surgery is necessary to remove the epulis. A wide margin (large portion of healthy tissue around the tumor, possible including some bone) needs to be taken to assure all of the epulis is removed. If a portion remains, it will often regrow. The teeth next to the epulis usually need to be removed, as well. Large epulides may also be treated with radiation.
What is the prognosis for a dog with an epulis?
If the epulis is small and all of the tumor is removed, the prognosis is good. The larger the tumor, the more likely a recurrence or complications. Acanthomatous epulides have a more guarded prognosis since they are much more difficult to completely remove. On rare instances, radiation therapy has resulted in the tumor becoming cancerous.
Here is a pic of my Penny i took today.
http://www.fototime.com/3F594F937ED516B/standard.jpg
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