1022. The CKC has a gum tumour that grows very fast

Aug 1, 2012

Cavalier King Charles, Male, 10 years

"Most likely cancerous," I said to the owners of a gentle distinguished-looking CKC. "If a gum tumour doubles in size every week, it is cancerous and needs early removal."

Blood tests were not normal. Surgery was done the next day. Unlike the Lab Retriever's epulis which is not cancerous, this case seems to be poor prognosis. Electro-surgery by Dr Daniel. "Transect at least 2 mm from the tumour and remove the entombed incisors," I said. The owner agreed to sending the tumour to the lab for check.

BLOOD TESTS
Total WCC  17.8 (6-17)
N 81%, L 15%, M 3.2%, E 0%, B 0.4%. Indicative of a bacterial infection going on.

RBC 5.6 (5.5 - 8.5)
Platelets 81 (200-500). No platelet clumps seen but few giant platelets present.

HISTOPATHOLOGY
Squamous papilloma with reactive atypia and chronic inflammation. No definite dysplasia or malignancy.
Good news for the owner. However, the papilloma may return as it is extremely difficult to completely excise it.

ANAESTHESIA
The old dog survived the anaesthesia and that was what counted for the owners. Dom + Ket at 25% was sufficient for electro-surgical excision. "No intubation, as we need good access to the gingival tumour and to excise all, if possible. It is growing fast."  Dental scaling was done too.


Older dogs must be checked by the owner daily and any mouth tumour be removed when it is small. In this case, the tongue covered the papilloma till it became chronically infected and swollen. It could have existed for some weeks without the owner seeing it.