August 6th 2012 12:53 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 7 people already have ]

Over the weekend we noticed an issue with Chester's gum line. On both the top and bottom of the jaw his gums are bright red where it meets the teeth. My initial thought was periodontal disease but I questioned how it could come so suddenly and why it would effect every inch of the gum line. We had to wait until today to take him to the vet and they confirmed that it is highly unlikely that it is periodontal disease and this his teeth appear fine, especially for his age.

The problem is, they haven't seen anything like it and aren't sure what it is. Two scary possibilities are cancer or an auto immune disorder. They took blood work and we'll get the results back on those tomorrow. In the meantime they have him on an antibiotic in case it is an infection (no temp though) and also prednisone for the inflammation. Hopefully this will work. If it fails to show any improvement then they want to take a biopsy.

Right now, though all this is very scary, he is at least not showing any signs of discomfort at all. I added a pic of what this looks like so if anyone has ever seen anything like it or experienced it, please let me know.

Thanks,
Chester's mom

Barked by: Abbie (Dogster Member)

August 6th 2012 at 7:27 pm

Keeping Chester in our prayers.

Barked by: Chester, A Springer Angel (Dogster Member)

August 6th 2012 at 9:10 pm

Thank you Abbie. Tomorrow I'll post my blood results.

Barked by: ♥Rain (Dogster Member)

August 7th 2012 at 12:07 am

Glad to hear that it doesn't seem to be bothering him at the moment. Poor boy, we haven't seen anything like it before either. Hoping the meds will work & the vet will figure it out. Keeping Chester & you in our prayers.

Rain, KJ & Mom

Barked by: Gail W

August 7th 2012 at 3:08 pm

Have you heard anything yet Chester?

Barked by: Chester, A Springer Angel (Dogster Member)

August 7th 2012 at 4:15 pm

We got the test results back and all the blood work came back normal. Great news but we still don't what is causing his issue. For now they want to have him to continue taking his meds and see if it clears up. If there is no improvement they want to sedate him and take a biopsy and they would clean his teeth at that time too just in case it is the cause.

Barked by: Abbie (Dogster Member)

August 7th 2012 at 4:49 pm

The post from GailW should have been mine Chester. I hope the medicine clears it up. Sometimes dental help. Love Abbie

Barked by: ♥Rain (Dogster Member)

August 8th 2012 at 1:26 am

So happy to hear all the blood work came back normal! Praying for improvement by the meds & they won't have to do a biopsy.

Love & Hugs,
Rainy and Family