This may the first time you’ve heard about Epulis and you don’t know where to start. It’s scary when your dog is diagnosed with a disease with a strange sounding name. We want you to be well informed when it comes to Epulis, so we’ve put together a few helpful details that will let you get better acquainted with this disease.
Epulis is tumors or tumor-like masses found on a dog’s gums. They don’t come from the teeth, and are first seen as small masses that sprout from the gum. There’s no one thing that causes Epulis and it is grouped into three types:
Fibromatous Type: Tumors that have a stalk or stem and are non- ulcerative.
Ossifying Type: Tumors are that are pedunculated non-ulcerative.
Acanthomatous Type: The most aggressive type of tumor that is locally invasive and can cause the destruction of bone tissue.
Your dog may have a mild case of Epulis and won’t show any signs or symptoms. In fact, your vet may find it by accident during a routine examination.
If you think your dog has Epulis, these are some common symptoms you should look for:
•Facial deformities
•Bad breath (Halitosis)
•A growing mass along the periodontal tissue
•Loose or missing teeth
•Excessive salivation
•Bleeding from the gums and other parts of the mouth
•Weight loss
•Eating difficulty
You’re not an expert, so if you think your dog has Epulis, take it to a vet for confirmation. Your vet will run several diagnostic tests in order to confirm or to rule it out. Some of the tests you can expect to be performed include a Complete Blood Count (CBC), urinalysis, and biochemical profile, which are run to establish baseline values.
After a Complete Blood Count has been performed, the vet will give your dog a thorough inspection and examination of its oral cavity. The vet needs to assess the extent of growth of Epulis and see how much oral tissue has been damaged. X-rays of the mouth and chest, CT scans, and a biopsy of the tumor may also be performed in order to rule out other types of oral tumors.
Surgery is sometimes the best treatment for Epulis. Depending on the size and type, the tumor will be excised or totally removed. Surgery is usually carried out for Fibromatous Epulis and Ossifying Epulis, and may include partial mandibulectomy (removal of the lower jaw) and maxillectomy (removal of the upper jaw. If the tumors are inoperable, radiation therapy may be another option available to you.
Once your dog has completed Epulis treatment, supportive care is an important aspect of therapy. You’ll have to feed your dog soft foods to help stop or prevent tumor ulceration (this diet can also be soothing after surgery).
