What should you know about feline oral melanoma?

Feline oral melanoma is a serious mouth tumour that may cause a pigmented mass, bleeding, bad breath or difficulty eating. A dark mouth lesion can have other causes, but any new, growing or ulcerated mass needs prompt veterinary assessment.

A cat may drool, paw at the mouth, chew on one side, drop food, lose weight or resist mouth handling. The mass may be dark, pink or ulcerated, and nearby teeth can become loose. Some cats continue eating until the lesion is advanced, so a normal appetite does not rule out a problem. The veterinarian may inspect the mouth under sedation, take a tissue sample and assess nearby lymph nodes or other organs. Oral Melanoma is different from a harmless stain on the gums.

Book a veterinary appointment promptly and avoid trying to scrape, cut or medicate the mass. Offer soft food and water if chewing is uncomfortable, but do not force the mouth open. The care team may discuss biopsy, imaging and Tumour Removal Surgery or other Skin Cancer Surgery depending on size and location. Surgical Excision can help obtain a diagnosis or remove accessible disease. If spread is suspected, staging may include lymph-node assessment and imaging; selected cases may prompt discussion of Immunotherapy.

Seek urgent veterinary care for uncontrolled bleeding, inability to eat or drink, choking, breathing difficulty, severe swelling, sudden weakness or obvious pain. Rapid weight loss, repeated vomiting or a foul discharge also warrants prompt review. The veterinarian may need to relieve pain, support hydration and secure the airway while determining the cause.

Where is the lesion and can it be sampled safely? What imaging or lymph-node checks are needed? Is removal intended to diagnose, control symptoms or both? How will pain and eating be supported? What signs should make me return immediately?