What are Oral Masses in Cats?

Introduction

When Whiskers, an affectionate Persian cat, started drooling excessively and struggled to eat his food, his owner, Emily, became alarmed. Concerned about Whiskers’ well-being, she quickly scheduled an appointment with their trusted veterinarian for a comprehensive oral examination. During the evaluation, the veterinarian discovered oral masses, a medical condition that can affect cats of various breeds and ages.

Oral masses or oral tumors are small lumps that may be found inside cats’ mouths. They usually occur between the cat’s teeth but sometimes appear elsewhere. Sometimes they are painful to touch, mainly if they are located near the gums.

Cats often swallow these masses accidentally but can also ingest them intentionally. If a mass is cancerous and appears to be growing larger or changing shape, consult your veterinarian immediately. However, oral groups are common in domestic shorthair cats and rare in purebred dogs and cats. Most cases involve young kittens.

Oral neoplasms are a relatively common mouth cancer in cats. These tumors may form anywhere inside the mouth and may be found in the tongue, the floor of mouth (palate), gums, and teeth. Oral neoplasms can also develop on the roof of your cat’s mouth (maxilla). Most oral neoplasms are benign but may occasionally spread to other body parts. If you notice any changes in your cat’s oral health – such as swelling or appetite – take them to see a veterinarian for an examination. Squamous carcinoma is one example of oral neoplasm.

There are two main oral masses in cats: fibrous and non-fibrous. Fibrous masses tend to be soft and rubbery, while non-fibrous masses are harder and firmer. Both types of masses can affect the tongue, lips, gums, palate, cheeks, teeth, jaw bones, and roof of the mouth.

In most cases, oral masses disappear spontaneously without treatment. However, if they persist longer than two weeks, they may indicate an underlying problem such as fibrosarcoma, infection, inflammation, or oral neoplasia in the dogs and cats.

What Causes Feline Oral Masses?

There are several causes of oral masses in cats. Some are benign tumors, others are infectious diseases, and others are caused by trauma or foreign bodies.

Benign Tumors

These masses are usually soft and painless. Benign tumors grow slowly over the years and rarely cause problems. Most benign tumors are made up of fibrous tissue and are composed of cells called myofibroblasts. These cells produce collagen fibers and connective tissues. Some benign lesions of the oral are cysts filled with fluid. Others contain hair follicles, glands, or bone fragments. Mandibular and neoplastic is an example of benign tumors in felines.

Cystic Fibrosis

This condition occurs in older cats and is characterized by thick mucus production. In addition, cystic fibrosis tends to affect the upper respiratory tract, causing coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing. It is thought to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal and infectious disease affecting cats caused by a coronavirus called feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). It was first used to describe in 1966. The virus causes inflammation of the intestinal tract, which leads to fluid accumulation around the abdomen and eventually death from secondary infections.

Malignant Oral Tumor

Cats with common oral tumors in a cat are a severe health condition. Most oral tumors are malignant (cancerous) and can cause complications if they Grow large or spread to other body parts. In addition, Metastasis is a malignant tumor in cats orally; if you think your cat may have an oral tumor, please consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (oral SCC) is common cancer in cats. It’s usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be spread through contact with saliva or other body fluids from an infected cat. Cancer typically starts as small, nontransparent lesions on the roof of the mouth near the teeth. As it grows, it may invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the head or neck.

Oral Melanoma

Oral malignant melanoma is a cancer of the oral cavity in cats. The most common site for this type of cancer is the mouth, but it can also occur on the tongue or floor of the mouth. In cats, oral melanoma typically arises from brown patches on white teeth (periapical lesions). Oral melanomas may be significant and highly invasive but rarely life-threatening unless spread to other body parts. Treatment generally includes surgery to remove as many tumors as possible, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy if necessary.

Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer in cats

It is believed that both cancers are relatively rare in cats. Oral cancer can develop from any part of the mouth, including the mouth’s tongue, lips, gums, and roof. Pharyngeal cancer can occur from anywhere along the length of your cat’s throat (pharynx-larynx), which includes his neck, jawbone, and larynx (voice box).

Odontogenic

It is a condition in which bacteria attack the tooth roots. The infection can lead to inflammation and even tooth decay. Periodontal disease is one of the diseases linked to odontogenic tumors that cause a problem with the teeth and gums and can occur in cats. It’s most common in older cats but can also happen in younger animals. Periodontal Disease may cause tooth loss, bone loss (from inflammation around the teeth), and ulcers on the gums. Treatment includes antibiotics to clear the infection, oral surgery to fix jaw problems, and regular dental care.

Trauma

Foreign bodies lodged in the mouth can lead to oral masses. For example, coins, toys, bones, and sticks can become stuck in the cat’s mouth.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral masses in Cats?

Most feline oral tumors present with advanced disease symptoms, including drooling, and difficulty eating and drinking, which lead to the inability to eat. Small animals like cats who develop oral masses typically have trouble chewing food and swallowing liquids. Some owners report seeing blood coming from their cat’s mouths after eating.

Cats with oral tumors tend to lose weight over time. Sometimes, however, if you notice a mass grows large enough to obstruct the cat’s airway. When this happens, the cat may stop breathing, become lethargic, and eventually die.

Diagnosis of Feline Oral Masses

Your vet will perform a physical exam to diagnose whether or not your pet has an oral mass. During this oral examination, they will look for signs of inflammation, bleeding, swelling, ulcers, and other symptoms associated with oral cancer. Once the doctor determines that your pet does indeed have an oral tumor, they will remove it surgically.

While oral masses can be removed surgically, several non-invasive treatments are also available. One option is laser therapy. Laser treatment uses light energy to destroy tissue cells, causing the mass to shrink over time. Another option is cryosurgery, which involves freezing the area until the tumor shrinks.

Cryotherapy is usually used to treat smaller lesions.

Biopsy of oral masses in cats is done to determine the cause and extent of the mass. The information on oral masses gathered from a biopsy will help identify whether it’s cancerous, benign, or caused by another condition.

A dental Radiograph is a type of x-ray (intraoral) that helps diagnose problems with the teeth. Dentists and other health professionals often use dental radiographs to check for tooth and gums decay, discrepancies in jawbone sizes (brachycephaly), abnormal bone growths (hormone therapy can cause this), and other conditions.

Regardless of the method, it’s always recommended to consult your veterinarian before attempting surgery.

Treatment of Oral Masses in Cats

There are three main treatments for oral masses in cats: Surgery, medication, and radiation therapy. 

Surgery involves removing the mass surgically. This is typically done under general anesthesia. The procedure takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of the malignant tumor type.

After the surgery, the cat will likely require antibiotics for several weeks. In rare cases, surgery can lead to complications such as infection, bleeding, or even death.

Medications are used to treat cancerous oral tumors in cats. They can either shrink the feline tumor or stop it from growing. Some medicines are given orally, while others are injected directly into the tumor.

Some medications are toxic to the kidneys, so you must monitor your pet closely after the treatment of choice. Drugs aren’t always practical, though. Sometimes they slow down the tumor growth without actually stopping it.

Combined with Radiation and Chemotherapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cells. Radiation therapy is often used to treat cancers that haven’t responded to other therapies. Unfortunately, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment has a similar prognosis; approximately two to four months, with fewer than ten percent of cats surviving one year after the diagnosis. However, feline oral masses can be treated successfully with surgery, medication, or radiation therapy. Which method of veterinary practice is best depends on the type of tumor and where it is located.

Prevention of Feline’s Oral Masses

One of the easiest preventive methods is to feed your cat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3s are found in fish oil supplements and play an integral role in maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. Another option is to supplement your cat’s food with vitamin E. Vitamin E promotes cell growth and prevents inflammation, which is necessary for preventing cancerous and non-cancerous growth in cells from developing into oral masses.

There are also preventive measures that you can implement yourself. One example is brushing your cat’s teeth regularly. Brushing your pet’s teeth twice a week can remove plaque buildup, preventing the formation of oral masses.

Other tips include keeping your cat indoors during cold weather and limiting his exposure to cigarette smoke. Smoking increases the risk of certain cancers, including oral masses. Also, it is essential to monitor your cats from time to time. Finally, make sure that your cat gets plenty of exercise. Exercise keeps him fit and reduces stress levels, which can contribute to developing oral masses.

Frequently Asked Questions