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Epulis in Dogs

Epulis in Dogs

Epulis

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Updated on September 26, 2024
SUMMARY OF CONTENT
An epulis is the most common benign tumor of the oral cavity in dogs. Surgery can be performed to remove epulides (the plural of epulis)
SEVERITY:
Severity is mild to moderate
  • Diagnosis Icon
    Requires a diagnosis by a veterinarian. While a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, your veterinarian may indicate that epulis is the most likey diagnosis.
  • Treatment Icon
    Surgical excision can resolve an epulis
  • Spread Icon
    Epulides are not transmissible
VERY COMMON IN
Epulides occur more commonly in middle-aged to older dogs. Certain breeds are more prone to epulides: Brachycephalic breeds, especially Boxers and Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Shetland Sheepdogs (“Shelties”)

Symptoms & Signs

Epulides originate in the connective tissue that holds the teeth to the bone of the jaw. Epulides are usually the same color as the gum tissue, have a smooth surface, may be attached to the gum via a peduncle (a stalk-like structure), and are usually located near the incisors or canine teeth. As the epulis enlarges, a dog may have bad breath, drool, and/or have bleeding at the site of the mass. If the epulis is large and/or near the occlusal (or chewing) surface of the teeth, they may have difficulty eating. It is common for affected dogs to have more than one epulis present.

Diagnosis

An epulis may be suspected by its location and appearance during a physical exam, though a biopsy is necessary to fully distinguish an epulis from other oral tumors. Dental x-rays are also helpful in determining if the epulis is impacting nearby teeth. Both dental x-rays and biopsies must be performed while a dog is under general anesthesia.

Causation

Cause is likely multifactorial, including genetics, chronic inflammation, dental misalignment, and/or the mechanical trauma of hte teeth rubbing the gums.

There are three types of epulides:

  • 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 (spreading elsewhere in the body). These tumors are now also more commonly known as acanthomatous ameloblastomas.

Treatments

icon AT-HOME CARE
Brushing your dog's teeth can help reduce halitosis (bad breath), remove food lodged under epulides. Soft diets, such as canned dog food or water-soaked dry food, may be necessary if your dogs is having trouble chewing due to an epulis and/or during recovery from surgical removal of an epulis.
icon SUPPORTIVE CARE
None
icon MEDICATIONS
Pain medication is often prescribed after the surgical removal of an epulis.
icon DEVICES
None
icon SURGERY
Surgery may be necessary to remove the epulis. A portion of healthy tissue around the epulis needs to be taken to ensure the entirety of the epulis is removed. Recurrence may occur if a portion of the epulis remains. The teeth next to the epulis usually need to be removed as well.
icon SPECIALISTS
If an epulis is especially large or invasive, your dog may be referred to a veterinary dental specialist or soft tissue surgeon for surgical removals. . Radiation therapy is an option when surgery if not feasible, in which case your dog may be referred to a veterinary radiation oncologist.

Cost of Treatment

Costs for exam, diagnosis and treatment/removal of an epulis is dependent on the size and severity of the epulis or epulides. It can range from $500 to $1,000 or more.

Recovery

If the epulis is small and the entire tumor is removed, the prognosis is good. Larger tumors have a greater likelihood for recurrence or complications. Acanthomatous epulides are more difficult to completely remove. In rare instances, radiation therapy has resulted in the tumor becoming cancerous.

Monitoring

At home, dogs should be monitored for the onset of new epulides or any post-operative complications, including bleeding or discharge from the surgical site.

Prevention

Epulides cannot be prevented.

Questions about Epulis

My dog I heated uses tampon is it an emergency

Unfortunately I'm having a little trouble understand your question as I'm not sure what you mean by "My dog I heated uses tampons..." I'm wondering if Bella ate a tampon or if you wanted to use one on her while she is in heat. I will answer both to be safe. If she ate a tampon, then yes this is a medical emergency and she has to see a vet now. Tampons can easily cause obstructions in the GI tract, especially since they are absorbent and can get large in the stomach from liquid in there. if Bella ate a tampon, you need to take her into a vet immediately to get it removed. If she is on heat, no you cannot use a tampon to control her bleeding. It's not safe to use at all, and are not meant for dogs. You can put a diaper on her to catch any bloody discharge. There are dog specific diapers online and at pets stores, or you can use one made of a human child. Just cut a hole in it for her tail. Hopefully this answers your question. If it doesn't, I'm sorry and ask you post again in the forum for free to it can get answered!

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I have a cat that as a kitten was very ill. We got him from 7 months old. We knew he’d had cat flu prior to him coming here. He is now nearly 5 yrs old. He picks huge fights with our other cat. He keeps urinating and scratching at doors and windows around the house. We allow him to go out via the cat flap unlimited. What is happening to him

I'm glad to see that Pippin has been neutered because this eliminates that possibility of hormone-fueled behavioral changes and aggression. Behavioral changes in cats can occur at any point in time, and could be related to anxiety or stressful situations (even rearranging furniture or introducing new people to the home can be stressful to cats). Without a lot more information and observing Pippin's behaviors, I can't precisely tell you why these changes are occurring. It may be best to consult a veterinary behaviorist in your home so that they can observe everything firsthand. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example), and discussing the use of anxiety medication with Pippin's vet. I hope that all goes well!

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Hi! My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He’s taking insulin and taking antibiotics for a Uti. It’s been 4 weeks and he wobles when he’s walking. He can’t jump up on the bed like he used to.He’s blood sugar is 250 it’s better than it used to. I don’t understand why he’s so wobbly.

Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

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My senior cat has metastized cancer.17 yrs old. My vet gave her predizone1 and one half tabs a day.i wanted to know if i can just stop the meds.

Is there a reason you want to stop the prednisone? I would recommend not stopping it and if you feel it is better to stop the prednisone then I would recommend weaning off of the prednisone. I would discuss how to wean the prednisone with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

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My dog has an ear infection

Sorry to hear Marley isn't doing so well with his ears. It is not possible to tell from tge picture tve exact nature of the irritation but if it is indeed infected (typically red, hot, painful and smelly), he will need prescription medication from his regular vet. In the meantime I recommend gently cleaning tge outer war with cotton wool and a pet safe ear cleaner to reduce the build up of wax/discharge

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My dog vomited a pinkish colour. Does this look like blood vomit? She doesn’t have diarrhoea or anything else. Yesterday i fed her plain chicken with rice.

That is very red vomit, however, this color could be linked to a number of things including blood in the vomit, inflammation of the GI tract, having chewed on a toy this color, eaten a food item this color, or gotten into a plant or other item this color. If the vomiting continues, worsens, or other symptoms appear such as a painful or bloated abdomen, diarrhea or blood in the stool, or severe distress, I would schedule a veterinary appointment right away to rule out more severe issues. In the meantime I would continue the bland diet for 24 hours, and monitor for any additional vomiting or illness symptoms.

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.