Hello, Dr. Barchas!

shannon
Middletown, Ohio

Overbites are very common in cats. Usually they are harmless. Cats are lucky to be less superficial than humans–cosmetic trivialities like overbites don’t lead to social ostracism or low self esteem.

Severe overbites can be more than a cosmetic problem. In some cases the teeth of the lower jaw can grow into the tissue of the upper jaw. This can lead to painful infections or areas of chronic inflammation (irritation).

The areas of chronic inflammation can look just like tumors. True tumors are extremely rare in the mouths of two-year-old cats.

I therefore wonder whether your cat actually has a tumor. It sounds more likely that a wayward tooth is causing chronic inflammation that looks like a tumor. I suspect that dental work (specifically, extraction of teeth that are growing improperly) might remove the source of inflammation and solve the problem permanently.

I agree that it is too soon to give up on your cat. Some local SPCAs have veterinary hospitals that offer discounted services to needy individuals. If such a facility is available in your area perhaps your cat can benefit from a procedure that will allow her to live a normal life.

Photo: no sign of an overbite on Ben.

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Our yellow Lab/Golden Retriever was diagnosed with
a fatty tumor approximately 4 years ago. The vet
said it was benign with no reason for removal
except for cosmetic purposes. The lump has
continued to grow. He will be 12 years old in
September. Are fatty tumors ever a reason for
concern? He’s very healthy and active for his
age. He is only fed Eagle Pack Holistic Senior
food.

Darlene
Mt. Pleasant PA

Fatty tumors, or lipomas, almost never cause problems in dogs. That is a good thing, because they are incredibly common. They occur in all breeds, regardless of weight or diet.

Lipomas are technically tumors, but don’t let the t-word scare you. In practice, lipomas are nothing more than balls of fat that develop under the skin. In most cases, they are completely harmless. In fact, I once met a Labrador with a lipoma the size of a basketball on its side. The dog was fine, and the people who brought him to me decided not to remove the lipoma.

Although lipomas are generally harmless, it is important to verify that the mass on your dog is, in fact, a lipoma. This is best done using a procedure known as aspiration, in which a needle is inserted into the area to harvest some of the mass for analysis. Aspiration usually can be done without sedation or anesthesia.

As well, any mass that grows precipitously or shows a dramatic change in firmness or shape may be undergoing a change in its nature. If your dog’s lipoma has changed appreciably since his last checkup, you should have your vet take a look at him.

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