Oral Masses in Cats
Key takeaways
Oral masses in cats are abnormal growths or swellings in the mouth. Oral masses vary in appearance, location, cause, treatment, and expected outcome.
- Inflammation, dental disease, foreign bodies, infection, injuries, allergies, and cancer are all potential causes of oral masses in cats
- Oral masses often cause drooling, bloody discharge, difficulty eating or grooming, weight loss, and bad breath
- Diagnosis of oral masses is reached by physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and analysis of biopsied tissue
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause, location in the oral cavity, and whether it has invaded local or distant tissues or organs
- Prognosis for oral masses varies with the cause and choice of treatment
- In general, prognosis for non-cancerous oral masses is good with prompt and appropriate treatment, while that of cancerous ones is fair to poor with treatment
- Early detection may improve the prognosis for cancerous oral masses
Connect with a vet to get more information about your pet’s health.
A closer look: Oral Masses in Cats
Oral masses are common in cats. Because there are so many types of oral masses with differing causes, treatments, and prognoses, it is important to seek veterinary attention promptly if an oral mass is seen or suspected.
Connect with a vet to get more information
Possible causes
Risk factors
Oral masses vary in many ways. The appearance of an oral mass may be red, pigmented, ulcerated, round, irregular, rough, or smooth. They can be located anywhere within the oral cavity or surrounding tissues. They may be large or small, growing or static. They may be soft or hard and may or may not invade local or distant structures. Oral masses may be present as a single symptom or with any number of associated symptoms. However, none of these characteristics can be considered reliable indicators of the cause, treatment, or prognosis of an oral mass.
Testing and diagnosis
Diagnosis of an oral mass includes a thorough physical examination, with emphasis on the mouth and related areas. Blood work, diagnostic imaging (skull X-rays, dental X-rays, CT scan) and biopsy are important factors in determining the underlying cause.
Treatment varies widely based on the underlying cause of the mass. For instance, if periodontal disease is the cause of the mass, treatment options may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, dental cleanings, and possibly tooth extraction. Treatment for immune disorders may involve steroids, immune-modifying medications, full-mouth extractions, and antihistamines. For cancerous masses, the treatment of choice is surgical removal of the tumor, which may necessitate the removal of all or part of the upper or lower jaw. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used in cases of cancer. Many oral masses are painful, so pain management is an important aspect of treatment.
Similar symptoms
Normal anatomy, for example, a sublingual salivary gland, may be mistaken for an oral mass.
