{"id":636349,"date":"2024-08-12T04:12:26","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T08:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=636349"},"modified":"2024-09-13T00:51:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T04:51:23","slug":"oral-tumors-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/ask-the-vet\/oral-tumors-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Tumors in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Care"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nOverview<\/a>
\nSigns<\/a>
\nCauses<\/a>
\nDiagnosis<\/a>
\nCare Guide<\/a>
\nFAQ<\/a>
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We don\u2019t spend a lot of time looking inside our cat\u2019s mouths, and sometimes, getting too close can mean getting bitten! That is why abnormal growths inside their mouths often go unnoticed until they are causing problems. If you\u2019re lucky, your vet may find a growth while it\u2019s still small during routine dental cleanings.<\/p>\n

Regardless of how it was found, if your cat has an oral tumor, you\u2019ll want all the information. Is the growth benign or malignant? What treatment is available? How can you keep your cat as comfortable as possible? We will discuss all this and more, so keep reading.<\/p>\n

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What Are Oral Tumors?<\/h2>\n

Oral tumors are abnormal growths inside the oral cavity. They can arise from the gums, tongue, tonsils, or other structures inside the mouth. Tumors arise from a cat\u2019s own cells, which multiply uncontrollably due to genetic mutations.<\/p>\n

If the tumor has the potential to spread to other areas of the body, it is considered malignant; if not, it\u2019s considered benign. Some tumors are locally invasive, meaning they infiltrate other surrounding tissue like bone. Locally invasive tumors are more commonly malignant.<\/p>\n

Around 90% of true oral tumors in cats will be malignant, and they are the fourth most common type of cancer in cats. Environmental carcinogens such as tobacco smoke may contribute to the development of oral tumors.<\/p>\n

Exposure to canned food and flea collars are also possible risk factors for feline oral tumors. However, genetics and random chance play a role in cancer development.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Todorean-Gabriel, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Are the Signs of Oral Tumors?<\/h2>\n

If your cat has an oral tumor, other than seeing a mass, you might notice signs of issues around their mouth. Oral tumors can be painful, limit normal movements, become infected, or die off, leading to signs like:<\/p>\n

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