QUARTERLY BEAT
APRIL 2026
ORAL TUMORS: WHAT TO DO Dr. Michael Balke, DAVDC, F-OMFS Arizona Veterinary Dental Specialists WEBINAR HIGHLIGHTS In this VETgirl Webinar Oral Tumors: What to Do on October 14, 2025, Dr. Michael Balke, DAVDC, F-OMFS walks you through a practical, step-by-step approach to working up canine and feline oral tumors. Starting from asking key history questions that matter, all the way to documenting lesion characteristics like a pro, read on for a clear roadmap to navigating patients with oral tumors. Missed the live session? Catch the replay on demand HERE or read the cliff notes below!
Malignant tumors tend to appear suddenly, get big quickly and can cause clinical signs such as difficulty eating and drinking, drooling with possible blood and the pet being sensitive around its mouth. Benign tumors tend to stay the same size or gradually increase in size over time and cause minimal clinical signs. These are not hard-set rules but merely guidelines as benign and malignant tumors can sometimes share similar features.
INTRODUCTION
An oral tumor can involve the gingiva, lip, oral mucosa, tongue, bone, or a combination of any of these tissues. They are a relatively common finding in small animal practice. Their presentation, biological behavior and therapeutic outcomes vary widely depending on tumor type and location. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach are essential for optimal outcomes. This first article in a two-article series will help the primary care veterinarian focus on how to systematically approach and diagnose oral tumors in canine and feline patients.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
HISTORY
The initial step in working up an oral tumor is obtaining a good history and performing a complete physical examination. The following questions can give the veterinarian insight into the biological behavior of the tumor (additional questions may be warranted based on answers):
• When was the tumor first noted? • Is it changing in size/color? • Have you noticed drooling? Is there blood in it?
• Has the client noticed any changes in their pet’s behavior (eating, drinking, upper respiratory sounds, playing with toys, pawing at mouth, being head shy)?
Perform a thorough general and oral examination, sedation is often required to get good oral visualization and tumor evaluation. Closely examine all the oral structures as other significant pathology could be present such as a large tonsil. Referral to a board-certified veterinary
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