Internal Server Error

My dog has a growing gum bump. What should I do? Is it cancer?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | unneutered | 6 years old | 72 lbs

Hi, My dog has this small bump on his gum. I first noticed this about 3 months ago. Since then it has grown slightly in size. It does not *seem* to be painful. It bled (or maybe just became red) a little on 13 May. It turned back to pink It has. A local Vet has suggested azithromycin. There arent many good vets where I live. As such he has no other problems. What should I do. Can this grow in size? Can it turn malignant?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on May 17th, 2020

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This is an epulis - a growth (benign of malignant) on the gum. It can get bigger and starts bothering Baxter but it may stay small and not cause any problems at all. You should monitor the growth for the next 2-3 months. If it is getting bigger or keeps bleeding, that would suggest this is a malignant mass and you will have to think to get it surgically removed. If it stays small, you just need to keep an eye on it. It does not look infected (in fact this kind of growths usually don't get infected in general) so I would wait with azithromycin, Baxter probably does not need it at the moment.

Vote icon

16Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 10th, 2021

    Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Most likely it is an epulis. If this growth is getting bigger, has tendency to bleed or if it is bothering Zoe, it should be surgically removed. However, If this lump is growing very slowly and if Zoe is a senior dog, surgical removal may not be the best option. In this situation leaving the epulis at it is and intervene only if the growth starts to increase in size or keeps bleeding would be the best way to go.

    Vote icon

    3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 11 year old beagle has a pink "bump" below her tooth. Doesn't seem to bother her eating food or treats. Had one removed, tested not cancer. Not sure how to treat.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! I think you are talking about something called gingival hyperplasia. If it looks very similar to the one that was removed and tested, it’s probably the same thing. (Though we can never guarantee as some kids of cancer can look similar.) Usually there is nothing to do treatment or prevention-wise except remove them at routine dental cleaning. And I do recommend routine dental cleaning as tartar can build up dramatically under that gum tissue. Best of luck to you and Lilly!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has had this little growth on her gum for several months now. It appears to be slowly growing in size. Could it be an epulis? Should we be concerned? Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. Most likely it is an epulis. If this growth is getting bigger, has tendency to bleed or if it is bothering Zoe, it should be surgically removed. However, If this lump is growing very slowly and if Zoe is a senior dog, surgical removal may not be the best option. In this situation leaving the epulis at it is and intervene only if the growth starts to increase in size or keeps bleeding would be the best way to go.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has gimgival hyperplasia, and I've been hesitant to take her to the vet but I was told she needs a fine needle aspirate... it has at least at least doubled in size since 6 months ago or more. Any insight into possible outcomes or surgery? It
Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco. Gingival hyperplasia is usually benign so am aspirate don’t needed in these cases, just surgical removal of the extra gum. However if your vet feels the tissue looks abnormal, this is then classified as a gingival mass. In which case surgical removal and sending the tissue off to the lab for analysis would be the next best step towards finding out if the mass is benign or cancerous. Perhaps you can resubmit your question with a photo of the growth so that we can at least give you an opinion of whether this looks like excessive gum growth (hyperplasia) which isn’t of concern, or a suspicious gingival mass that should be further tested. I hope this helps! Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I just found some kind of what looks to me like a growth or sist of some kind in my pug/Boston terrier and I’m really freakin out he’s my best and only friend i don’t no what to do
This looks like benign gingival hyperplasia. That is an overgrowth of gum tissue which is common in many breeds. I would have this examined by your veterinarian to make sure as it’s hard for me to tell just from a photograph. Often this is left alone, sometimes they remove the excess tissue during a routine dental. It doesn’t look like a cancerous lesion from the photo but I recommend letting your veterinarian exam it and then they can monitor the area for any change. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Sammy.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my dog has got this below his tooth. This has persisted for the last month or two. It is not tender or he doesnt seem to be any pain. Its only visible when his lip is pulled down. That the reason for the delay in my noticing. What should I do?
This looks like it might be a small area of gingival hyperplasia or a small epulis, which is a growth of the gum tissue. It might also be a wound or draining tract from a tooth abscess - it's a little difficult to tell whether this lesion is raised or flat in your picture. I think you could probably monitor it if Baxter is acting like his normal self - if it has not resolved in three weeks or if it seems to be getting larger I'd recommend having a vet take a look.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a bump on his gums that looks like a large pimple. Will it go away on its own or do we need to have it checked by a vet?
Thanks for attaching a picture. If it feels like normal gum tissue (soft, moveable) it is possibly due to contact from the k9 tooth above it (overgrowth of tissue from irritation). Do you see the same thing on the other side? If it is more firm, painful, red, or grew rapidly that would be more concerning and then it should be evaluated by your family vet. If you elect to monitor certainly have your vet take a look at his next annual visit. If the lesion changes (growth, etc.) certainly have your vet take a look at it sooner. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Hello, I was brushing my dogs teeth today and I saw this on the inside of her top gum. What could it be? Or how can I treat it?
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. If it is hard to the touch, it could be a tooth, and I would recommend having Bailey seen by your regular veterinarian who can safely remove it. This is probably causing Bailey some discomfort by rubbing on the inside of her gums. Please do not try to remove this yourself, as the root of the tooth could fracture and remain in her gums, leading to infection. If it is soft like a mass, this should be sampled by your veterinarian to see what type of cells are present. I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I think my dog might have a tumour on his gums. No tartar build up or lump a month ago. Just noticed yesterday. He is not chewing near it now
This called epulid and it is usually a benign form of tumor that would require removal in case it get chewed or infected. To confirm it 100% a biopsy or (complete removal) can be performed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a growth on her gums (top canine tooth). I also have an image if I am able to attach it. Looking for some insight. Thanks!
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Thanks for the picture! It could be benign gingival hyperplasia. Or it could be an early benign epulis that grows from the tooth ligaments like an odontoma or fibroma. There are also cancerous epuli. I would have Ayla examined by your Vet and see if the canine tooth should be extracted and the tissue biopsied. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 12 year old dog has had a lump on her gums for 3 years it's growing more and bleeding when playing... shall I risk getting it taken off vet seemed to think as she's happy and pain-free why risk it ..but it bleeds more and more shes eating fine bu
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Coco and for providing a picture of her lump, that is very helpful. I'm not sure when you last discussed having it removed with her vet, but given that it has grown more and is bleeding, I think you should discuss removing it again. Due to her age, there is a chance this lump could be cancer, but it needs to biopsied first before any determination could be made as to whether or not it's cancer. I'd schedule an appointment with her vet. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored