Epulis: Part 1

Noticed a growth on Uno's gums about 2 months ago. It is the same color as the gum tissue, is firm and has a smooth surface. It used to be just a tiny size but has grown big enough to block his tooth. Dr Lee had diagnosed it as epulis and surgery is the only way to get rid of it.



An epulis is the most common benign tumor of the mouth in dogs. It is usually located in the gum tissue near the incisors or canine teeth. It originates in the connective tissue that holds the teeth to the bone of the jaw. The literal translation of "epulis" is "gum boil."

There are three types of epulides (the plural for epulis):
. Fibromatous: Consists of tough, fibrous tissue.
. Ossifying: In addition to fibrous tissue, also contains bone cells. These may transform into cancerous tumors.
. Acanthomatous: More invasive, growing into the normal bone around it and destroying it, but not metastasizing.

Only a biopsy can tell if the tumor is malignant or benign, and which type it belonged to. The cause of epulides is unknown, but they do occur more commonly in older dogs and Boxers. They occur equally in both sexes.

However, Dr Lee was reluctant to op on Uno due to his elevated liver enzymes reading. I have been flushing around the epulis every night as part of Uno's oral hygiene. Last evening, I found a little ulcer at the back of the epulis, don't quite like the look of it :( Decided to bring him to see Dr Tan to retest his liver enzymes as well as seek 2nd opinion on other alternatives to manage the epulis. Whether surgery or not, hopefully he clears the retest.