Oral cavity neoplasms in companion animals: clinical features and approaches to diagnosis and treatment

Mariia Kulida, Jakub Nicpoń , Tetiana Mazurkevych, Pavlo Solonin, Iryna Gorkava
Abstract

The relevance of this study is determined by the high prevalence of oral cavity neoplasms in companion animals, the difficulty of their early diagnosis, and the limited possibilities for effective treatment at advanced stages of the disease. In this regard, the present scientific work is devoted to identifying the clinical and morphological characteristics of oral cavity neoplasms in dogs and cats, as well as assessing the effectiveness of contemporary approaches to their diagnosis and therapeutic management. The principal research method was clinical and diagnostic analysis, which included the synthesis of findings from clinical examinations, imaging studies, and morphological investigations. During the study, 43 clinical cases of oral cavity neoplasms in companion animals were analysed, with older cats constituting the majority of cases. It was noted that squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 86% of cases and was characterised by aggressive progression and invasion of bone tissue. The study established that tumours were most frequently localised in the maxilla and mandible, the sublingual region, and the tongue (59.5% of cases). Neoplastic processes in dogs, in which not only malignant neoplasms such as squamous cell sarcoma (68.8%) but also benign tumours (16.6%) were diagnosed, were recorded in adulthood. It was substantiated that the clinical manifestations included the formation of tumour masses, ulcerative lesions, destruction of bone tissue, and impairment of oral cavity functions. It was determined that diagnostic effectiveness largely depended on the application of a comprehensive approach incorporating clinical examination, imaging techniques, and histological verification of the diagnosis. The study found that the choice of therapeutic strategy was determined by the localisation and extent of tumour spread and may include surgical intervention, targeted therapy, or palliative treatment. The materials presented in this article are of practical value to veterinary practitioners, as they contribute to improving the effectiveness of the diagnosis and treatment of oral cavity neoplasms in companion animals

Keywords

cats; dogs; veterinary oncology; bone invasion; maxilla and mandible; sublingual region; tongue

Suggested citation
Kulida, M., Nicpoń , J., Mazurkevych, T., Solonin, P. , & Gorkava, I. (2026). Oral cavity neoplasms in companion animals: clinical features and approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 17(2), 92-110. https://doi.org/10.31548/veterinary2.2026.92
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