Growth In Pup's Mouth - YorkieTalk.com Forums

sarahkw · 10-14-2019, 09:32 AM

Hello! First post here, but I've gleaned a lot of advice (and peace of mind!) from this forum over the years!

I took my yorkie - 7 year old Knox - to the vet on Friday for a well visit and to update his Rabies, etc. It's a new vet for us after a terrible visit back in March to a vet in our new town.

Overall, Knox had a great appointment. Lots of "his lungs sound great!" "no enlargements felt!" "strong heart!" but when it got to his mouth, things took a turn. I knew he had some teeth issues and needed to schedule some dental work. But he has a growth on his bottom lip, right in the front, that looks a lot like it would burst sort of like a zit if it were popped. It's about the size of a pea, mostly pink, smooth. I feel like a terrible dog mom in admitting that I had noted it but hadn't given it much thought. It's been there for at least a few months and has certainly grown slowly. He wore his front teeth down on a too big for him plastic Giggle ball a while back (took it away when I realized what he was doing) and always has something in his mouth. He has a tendency to bite down on his favorite stuffed toy and not let it go until he whines and realizes he can, in fact, let go.

The vet - who I later learned has only been practicing since late 2015, so not long - went from 0 to 90 in 30 seconds. It started with "could be an epulis" which is a benign growth to cancer, removing jaw bones because he has some loose teeth, oncology... She acknowledged she was giving me worst case scenarios and took him to another vet for an opinion when I appreciated. Other vet, who I didn't get to talk to, reminded her yorkies are famous for bad teeth and let's not worry, just remove it and biopsy it when he has his teeth cleaned (on Black Friday) given that he has no other symptoms, still eats dry food, etc.

So of course I've spent the weekend Googling and worrying. Terrible combination. I'm inclined to believe that the smooth and pink appearance coupled with no other symptoms aside from bad breath are good signs and lend themselves to the epulis, but I'd love your thoughts/experiences, as well as recommendations.

I have some follow up questions out to her, including asking if we need to do something sooner, but geez. What a way to spend the weekend.

If nothing else, thank you for letting me vent and worry!

Lovetodream88 · 10-14-2019, 12:45 PM

First thing you need to do is probably not google lol. Dogs gets so many bumps that are nothing and just need to be removed. Loose teeth definitely does not mean jaw bones or anything need to come out. What can make teeth loose can be an infection or even end up causing other issues as well as be uncomfortable for the pup and need to come out. If possible I would go ahead and get the dental and the bump removed and sent off. Make sure you get pre surgery blood work though. My 12 year old yorkie has had many many dentals over the years. I have 3 younger ones all around the same age so I dread when it comes that they all need them lol.

lilgidget · 10-15-2019, 05:31 AM

I also would stop googling. Listen to Vet and go with whatever procedures are recommended.

sarahkw · 10-15-2019, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

First thing you need to do is probably not google lol. Dogs gets so many bumps that are nothing and just need to be removed. Loose teeth definitely does not mean jaw bones or anything need to come out. What can make teeth loose can be an infection or even end up causing other issues as well as be uncomfortable for the pup and need to come out. If possible I would go ahead and get the dental and the bump removed and sent off. Make sure you get pre surgery blood work though. My 12 year old yorkie has had many many dentals over the years. I have 3 younger ones all around the same age so I dread when it comes that they all need them lol.

Thanks for this! Very helpful. I'm in a much calmer frame of mine and awaiting the vet to call back to answer a few questions I have. Given what I've read and his behavior, I'm far less worried and will go forth with whatever the vet recommends.

And pray I have more "calmness" when I have human kids, because puppy kids are stressful enough!

sarahkw · 10-15-2019, 08:00 AM

Sharing an update: My vet replied to my email this morning to basically say "I do tend to be concerned whenever I see an oral mass." Not all that comforting - and hoping she's just more of an err on the side of caution type.

We're looking to move up his procedure, possibly on Thursday, or referring him out to a dentist who will be able to do additional imaging if needed. All a bit overwhelming, but I want things done sooner rather than later, both for him and so I don't have to spend the next 6 weeks wondering and looking in his mouth every 2 minutes.

I continue to hope that the fact that he's showing no other signs or symptoms will mean good news. He's eating dry food, chasing his ball relentlessly, chewing on his stuffed penguin... All normal behavior.

Say a prayer for both of us - for good news and for my sanity!

Lovetodream88 · 10-15-2019, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahkw

Thanks for this! Very helpful. I'm in a much calmer frame of mine and awaiting the vet to call back to answer a few questions I have. Given what I've read and his behavior, I'm far less worried and will go forth with whatever the vet recommends.

And pray I have more "calmness" when I have human kids, because puppy kids are stressful enough!

I think sometimes it’s harder with pups because kids eventually talk but pups don’t. Try to keep us updated.

sarahkw · 10-15-2019, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I think sometimes it’s harder with pups because kids eventually talk but pups don’t. Try to keep us updated.

You make a fair point! He's going in for a blood draw today and surgery on Thursday. My college sorority sister is a vet and she just calmed me down tremendously by letting me know they legally have to give all scenarios.

I'm hoping today, Thursday, and a post-op visit next week will be my only visits to the vet for a long time!

sarahkw · 10-15-2019, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I think sometimes it’s harder with pups because kids eventually talk but pups don’t. Try to keep us updated.

You make a fair point there!

Took him in for his pre-op blood work a bit ago. He repaid the favor by peeing on my trashcan and leaving a present in the bedroom floor, so he's up to his usual spiteful ways!

The vet did give me a bit of peace of mine as she said it's great that it's not bleeding, seems to be on a stem, and should be an "easy removal." She also said it doesn't feel like it's deep in his gum based on what she can feel, so I'm taking all of that as good news.

At this point, I'm even curious as to if its an abscessed tooth, but she said it feels more like a mass and less like inflammation, but he's certainly irritating it with his love of playing fetch and chewing on a certain toy.

Thank you for letting me talk it out and any good vibes/prayers you can send our way!

10-14-2019, 09:32 AM	#1
sarahkw Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Virignia Posts: 17	Growth In Pup's Mouth Hello! First post here, but I've gleaned a lot of advice (and peace of mind!) from this forum over the years! I took my yorkie - 7 year old Knox - to the vet on Friday for a well visit and to update his Rabies, etc. It's a new vet for us after a terrible visit back in March to a vet in our new town. Overall, Knox had a great appointment. Lots of "his lungs sound great!" "no enlargements felt!" "strong heart!" but when it got to his mouth, things took a turn. I knew he had some teeth issues and needed to schedule some dental work. But he has a growth on his bottom lip, right in the front, that looks a lot like it would burst sort of like a zit if it were popped. It's about the size of a pea, mostly pink, smooth. I feel like a terrible dog mom in admitting that I had noted it but hadn't given it much thought. It's been there for at least a few months and has certainly grown slowly. He wore his front teeth down on a too big for him plastic Giggle ball a while back (took it away when I realized what he was doing) and always has something in his mouth. He has a tendency to bite down on his favorite stuffed toy and not let it go until he whines and realizes he can, in fact, let go. The vet - who I later learned has only been practicing since late 2015, so not long - went from 0 to 90 in 30 seconds. It started with "could be an epulis" which is a benign growth to cancer, removing jaw bones because he has some loose teeth, oncology... She acknowledged she was giving me worst case scenarios and took him to another vet for an opinion when I appreciated. Other vet, who I didn't get to talk to, reminded her yorkies are famous for bad teeth and let's not worry, just remove it and biopsy it when he has his teeth cleaned (on Black Friday) given that he has no other symptoms, still eats dry food, etc. So of course I've spent the weekend Googling and worrying. Terrible combination. I'm inclined to believe that the smooth and pink appearance coupled with no other symptoms aside from bad breath are good signs and lend themselves to the epulis, but I'd love your thoughts/experiences, as well as recommendations. I have some follow up questions out to her, including asking if we need to do something sooner, but geez. What a way to spend the weekend. If nothing else, thank you for letting me vent and worry!

10-14-2019, 12:45 PM	#2
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	First thing you need to do is probably not google lol. Dogs gets so many bumps that are nothing and just need to be removed. Loose teeth definitely does not mean jaw bones or anything need to come out. What can make teeth loose can be an infection or even end up causing other issues as well as be uncomfortable for the pup and need to come out. If possible I would go ahead and get the dental and the bump removed and sent off. Make sure you get pre surgery blood work though. My 12 year old yorkie has had many many dentals over the years. I have 3 younger ones all around the same age so I dread when it comes that they all need them lol. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

10-15-2019, 05:31 AM	#3
lilgidget YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: stanley nc Posts: 1,152	I also would stop googling. Listen to Vet and go with whatever procedures are recommended.

10-15-2019, 08:00 AM	#5
sarahkw Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Virignia Posts: 17	Sharing an update: My vet replied to my email this morning to basically say "I do tend to be concerned whenever I see an oral mass." Not all that comforting - and hoping she's just more of an err on the side of caution type. We're looking to move up his procedure, possibly on Thursday, or referring him out to a dentist who will be able to do additional imaging if needed. All a bit overwhelming, but I want things done sooner rather than later, both for him and so I don't have to spend the next 6 weeks wondering and looking in his mouth every 2 minutes. I continue to hope that the fact that he's showing no other signs or symptoms will mean good news. He's eating dry food, chasing his ball relentlessly, chewing on his stuffed penguin... All normal behavior. Say a prayer for both of us - for good news and for my sanity!