My 9-year-old Miniature Schnauzer has always been healthy. He does have bad teeth, and over the last three months has started to seem out of sorts. He’s not wanting to pick up his toys to play, he’s less vocal, is losing interest in food and is sleeping more than usual.
I decided to have his teeth cleaned, and noticed a bony lump on the top of his head to one side. When I took him in for the cleaning, I asked the vet to check it out. He took an X-ray, which revealed a nice, clean bone line that becomes fuzzy and spongy-looking. Cancer.
Now I’m not sure what to do: Surgery? Biopsy? Chemotherapy? Radiation?
Also, I’ve been doing some reading, and have a few questions:
- Is it possible for there to be a benign growth that could mature and then stop growing?
- Can reishi mushroom help with pain and inflammation?
I love my dog so very much and hate the thought of losing him, but I will not let him suffer. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you!
— Dorothy
Hi Dorothy,
I’m sorry to hear that your Miniature Schnauzer has not been feeling well. Dental hygiene is a common issue in dogs and can lead to many secondary problems, so I’m glad you had his teeth cleaned.
If your dog’s teeth were significantly affected by tartar, then gingivitis and periodontal disease can develop. This can lead to deeper infections and dental abscesses, which often appear as lumps on the side of the head or jaw. Dental X-rays and a thorough cleaning under anesthesia can determine the presence of an abscess.
Since most abscesses are the result of periodontal disease, the only way to resolve one is to extract the tooth and give the dog a course of antibiotics. Periodontal disease involves significant plaque and tartar accumulation on the teeth, gingivitis, loose teeth, bad odor in the mouth and X-ray evidence of abscesses or osteomyeltitis (bone infection).
Osteomyelitis will appear on an X-ray like the description you provided. Tumors involving the bone can appear similar, so further testing can be helpful. In cases where there is an abscess without concurrent periodontal disease, the tooth could possibly be saved by performing a root canal. You would have to visit a dental specialist for that procedure. In any case, if the infection is serious enough to cause an abscess, then simply treating with antibiotics alone will not be sufficient.
In this case, it doesn’t sound like you know yet if this lump is due to an infection or neoplasia (cancer). Obviously, we would need to diagnose the cause of the lump before I can give you specific advice. Basically, the two most common diagnoses for something like this would be infection (bacterial or fungal) or neoplasia. A final diagnosis could be made based on other observations such as the presence of periodontal disease and/or a needle biopsy (aspirate) of the affected area. The most likely diagnosis would be a bacterial infection with periodontal disease and an abscess.
To answer your first question, although I don’t think this is cancer, I would be surprised to see a benign cancer affecting the bone that would simply stop growing. Tumors involving the mouth and bone are often malignant. Cancers involving bone are also usually quite painful, so I would pursue diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If it does turn out to be a tumor involving the bone, I would recommend a consultation with an oncologist.
You also asked about reishi mushrooms, as found in i Love Dogs supplements. Reishi mushrooms, called ling zhi in traditional Chinese medicine, have been used for centuries as cancer remedies and for general immunity support. Reishi contains a trace element called germanium that, along with other components of the mushroom, have been promoted for their anti-tumor potential. If this is a tumor, then reishi may help slow it down; if it is an infection, then reishi may help the body’s immune system fight it.
The powerful antioxidants in green tea have also shown promise in fighting cancers and infections. However, if your dog’s condition is far enough along to show up on X-rays, I would not use supplements as the sole treatment. I would use them in conjunction with prescribed medications and possible surgical intervention after a definitive diagnosis.
Due to the potential for pain and further bone damage, I recommend you follow up with your vet and/or a specialist right away. Dental specialists can be found through the American Veterinary Dental College website, and cancer (oncology) specialists can be found through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
I’d like to say a few words about keeping your dog’s teeth clean now that they have been cleaned professionally. The best way to keep the teeth and gums healthy between professional cleanings is by brushing regularly at home. Nothing substitutes for brushing–not chew toys, treats or food and water additives. Those other things can help keep the teeth clean, but they will not take the place of brushing. When brushing your pet’s teeth, you can use any kind of toothbrush, but only use veterinary toothpaste. Brush his teeth at least once every two to three days to see any benefit, but daily is ideal, just like in humans.
Good luck,
Matt Smith, DMV
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