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My dog's gum behind tooth is swollen and bleeding. What is it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 11 months old | 80 lbs

Pudding was chewing on a chew toy. I noticed a very tiny bit of blood on it so I took the toy and examined his mouth. I saw inflammation behind his tooth which is odd because I brush his teeth regularly. The plan is to monitor it for now as we assume it’s swelling from irritation but I can’t sleep over the fact that it may be a tumor. He is not in pain. There’s no bleeding or puss from it. Please help us identify what this is.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on January 29th, 2021

Hi and thanks for your request. This is very likely to be an epulis, a benign gingival growth which unfortunately is very vascularized and can bleed copiously. A small biopsy can easily confirm this clinical suspicion.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 31st, 2018

    HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From what I can see in the pictures is that Bruno has a gingival growth behind his 4th premolar. There are many possibilities for this growth: benign or cancerous epulis' or just overgrowth of normal gingival tissue. Some epulis' grow from the ligament of the tooth requiring removal of the tooth along with the growth. I recommend that Bruno is examined by your Vet and a dental with removal of this gingival mass be set up. The mass can then be sent for biopsy so you know what it is and whether you need to be concerned. i wish you the best!

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