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Mouth Cancer (Chondrosarcoma) in Dogs

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Treatment

Your dog will need to have drastic surgery performed to get as much of the tumor out as possible. Often half of the jaw (most often the upper jaw) is removed. This works well and may even achieve remission if the tumor is removed before it has spread. Your veterinarian may also advise radiation therapy for your dog, but this is highly dependent on the nature and behavior of the tumor and on your cat's overall health. Chemotherapy may be toxic for some animals and should be avoided.

Oral pain medication will need to be administered to the dog to help manage its pain, both before and after surgery.

Living and Management

After surgery, you should expect your dog to feel sore. Your veterinarian will give you pain medication for your dog to help minimize discomfort, and you will need to set up a place in the house where your dog can rest comfortably and quietly, away from other pets, active children, and busy entryways. Trips outdoors for bladder and bowel relief should be kept short and easy for your dog to handle during the recovery period. Use pain medications with caution and follow all directions carefully; one of the most preventable accidents with pets is overdose of medication.