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My dog has a painless lump on her gum near a tooth. Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Vizsla | Female | spayed | 3 years and 1 month old | 63 lbs

I just noticed this ball (looks like a mass) next to (right side) my big dogs tooth. It doesn’t bother her at all and isn’t painful to touch. Should I be concerned? She is perfectly normal otherwise.

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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 March 14th, 2022

Hi and thanks for your request. This is likely to be due to an epulis, a benign tumor of the gums. The most common types are fibromatous and ossifying epulides (this is the technical name defining the benign tumor). Surgical removal of the epulis is the treatment most commonly recommended but not necessary if not impeding appetite and not bleeding. The mass can grow but at this stage I think it could be only monitored.

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    Answered By C. Rathjens, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 14th, 2017

    From your picture, I would be concerned that this is an oral tumor. I would recommend scheduling an appointment with her veterinarian as soon as possible (but going to an emergency clinic is not necessary) to get it looked at. They will likely want to have her go under general anesthesia and remove it or take a sample and have it evaluated to see what type of growth it is. Oral tumors can be very aggressive, so don't wait to make an appointment. Good luck!

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