The first sign of a potential oral cancer is facial swelling that can involve the upper or lower jaw and potentially the lymph nodes of the neck. Catching these symptoms early and getting your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible can drastically improve the prognosis. It’s important to note that not all oral swellings are malignant. The best way to find out is to have your veterinarian submit a biopsy sample to a veterinary pathologist. Once the diagnosis is made, you and your veterinarian can discuss possible treatments and therapies.
Jeanne Perrone, MS, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)