By Dr. Jan Bellows
The most common oral tumors in dogs are malignant meanoma, benign odontogenic ameloblastoma (epulides), squamous cell carcinoma, and fibrosarcoma. Maxillectomy or mandilbulectomy is often indicated for wide resection of these oral tumors.
A 7 year old, neutered miniature Poodle was referred for dental evaluation and treatment of a right maxillary oral mass of 3 weeks’ duration. Two weeks earlier, squamous cell carcinoma had been diagnosed by the referring veterinarian after incisional biopsy. The dog’s caregivers believed the dog was experiencing pain when touched and while eating.
Clinical examination confirmed a 20-mm oral mass of gingiva and mucosa surrounding the right maxillary canine and second premolar. The right maxillary first, second, and third incisors and the first premolar were clinically missing. Palpation of the mandibular lymph nodes revealed normal shape, size, and consistency. Physical examination findings were within normal limits.
The initial assessment plan included preanesthetic blood testing and urinalysis, along with three-view thoracic radiography and electrocardiography. All results were within normal parameters. Computed tomography (CT) of the tumor area was recommended but declined by the owner.
Further assessment with the dog under anesthesia included full-mouth intraoral radiography; tooth-by-tooth examination for morphology, mobility, and probing depths; and fine-needle aspiration of both mandibular lymph nodes.
The patient was premedicated with intramuscular hydromorphone at .1 mg/kg combined with intramuscular acepromazine at .01 mg/kg IM, and anesthesia was induced with .5 mg/kg of intravenous diazepam and 10 mg/kg of intravenous ketamine. The dog was placed in dorsal recumbency, intubated, and maintained on 2% isoflurane. The pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic parameters were monitored throughout the procedure. The patient’s temperature was contrlled with a warm-air Bair Hugger.
Dorsoventral nasal films revealed an ill-defined, bilateral lytic area of tissue destruction with calcification in the rostral maxilla extending caudally to the second premolar. The maxillary incisor appeared to be unsupported by alveolar bone.
By Dr. Jan Bellows