Hard, tooth-like spot on palate

[spamgirl]

Hey Traci,

I was brushing my dog's teeth tonight and noticed a hard, half centimeter thing on the top of his mouth. It's a white circle with 2 black spots in the centre and pink skin behind it. The spot is hard like dental enamel, so it's not an abscess. Here is a photo:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7592/168 ... a669_o.jpg

Do you have any idea what it might be? I'll take him to the vet first thing on Monday, but I'm pretty upset. I lost a cat to oral cancer in 2010.

[Traci]

It looks like a broken off tooth (like a cavity), but pics can be deceiving - I would have him checked.

[spamgirl]

It looks like a broken off tooth (like a cavity), but pics can be deceiving - I would have him checked.

It's over more from the teeth, like you said that pic is deceiving. This is a diagram of where it is in comparison to his teeth: https://flic.kr/p/rqMeDX

[Traci]

Thanks for reiterating the location. Based on that and the pic, it could be what is called an epulide, they appear sort of like a hard rock or pebble (calcifying), but can increase in size and be painful for the dog - they are usually benign, but unfortunately, they require removal and surrounding tissue (possibly also removing the nearby tooth closest to it) since it is attached to bone. Hopefully, if you've just noticed this, it may be small enough to avoid too much tissue damage during removal.

I know it sounds awful, but removal is the best option, and often curative. Providing of course it is an epulide, and your description of it's surface feeling like enamel, hopefully it isn't anything else. Your vet will want to remove this probably as soon as possible, so be prepared for that.

Let us know what vet says, ok? (keep that appointment tomorrow!)

[spamgirl]

My assumption was surgical removal was necessary, so I'm prepared to take that step. He's always having cysts come up all over, with the threat that surgery is necessary (then they go away before the appointment lol) so I guess I'm just getting used to that course of treatment expectation

I am calling for an emergency appointment first thing, and will definitely take him. I'll let you know what happens when I get back. Thank you!

[Traci]

Hopefully it is nothing more serious, but best to get this taken care of now rather than later.

Dogs are notorious for lumps and bumps, many of them are benign, thank god. But, glad to hear you're not taking any chances!

[spamgirl]

You were right, it IS a tooth! She checked his records from his last dental cleaning and there wasn't a tooth there before. It seems to have been inside his soft palate and just erupted through the skin. He's going to go in for surgery next Tuesday to remove it as she said now that it has broken through it appears to only be loosely held on by a ligament. It's good timing, he needed his teeth cleaned anyway.

Thank you for your advice!

[Cleo]

So glad that's all it was! Good luck with the removal and cleaning!!

[Traci]

You were right, it IS a tooth! She checked his records from his last dental cleaning and there wasn't a tooth there before. It seems to have been inside his soft palate and just erupted through the skin. He's going to go in for surgery next Tuesday to remove it as she said now that it has broken through it appears to only be loosely held on by a ligament. It's good timing, he needed his teeth cleaned anyway.

Thank you for your advice!

I'm confused. Weren't xrays done prior to his last dental (or any other time for that matter?)? Xrays would have shown evidence of a tooth/root beneath the surface. Not to mention it's current appearance (like a cavity), unless it has become diseased in a very short period of time (like a strange resorption).

Is this an adult dog?

[spamgirl]

You were right, it IS a tooth! She checked his records from his last dental cleaning and there wasn't a tooth there before. It seems to have been inside his soft palate and just erupted through the skin. He's going to go in for surgery next Tuesday to remove it as she said now that it has broken through it appears to only be loosely held on by a ligament. It's good timing, he needed his teeth cleaned anyway.

Thank you for your advice!

I'm confused. Weren't xrays done prior to his last dental (or any other time for that matter?)? Xrays would have shown evidence of a tooth/root beneath the surface. Not to mention it's current appearance (like a cavity), unless it has become diseased in a very short period of time (like a strange resorption).

Is this an adult dog?

He's never had xrays of any kind, no. All of his teeth have that black stuff on them, they always have, even after the last cleaning. She said it wouldn't come off. He's 10.