Boxer, Gum Disease

Question
I have a boxer who is eight years old.  He has a growth in his mouth next to his canine tooth.  I took him to the vet before and the vet wanted to cut it off from concern Bozworth may not be able to eat.  Since didn't seem to be bothering him, I chose to wait.

Now his back teeth have overgrowth as well and he is drooling substantially.  Is surgery the only way to take care of it, or can it be treated by oral antibiotics. The vet wanted $260-$300.00 to treat it. Does that seem like a fair price?

Geeze I just think it will be so painful for them to cut it all off.  Is this a gum disease or could it be mouth cancer.  

What is the best cure for this?  He's my baby and I feel awful.

Thanks,
Frances  

Answer
Hi Frances,

There is a possibility the growths could be cancerous, but fibromatous epulis (non-cancerous growths) are quite common in Boxers.  Surgery is, unfortunately, the only way to get rid of them; I, too, tend to wait on the surgery but it sounds as if Bozworth is at the point where he needs intervention.  There's also a concern about food and hair getting trapped under the growths, which can lead to infection or tooth decay. It is a little painful for the dog, but in the long run they get far more relief from having the growths gone.

The price you've quoted sounds reasonable; I will say that if you can find a vet that does laser surgery, in my experience it seems far easier on the dog and heals much faster, but it can be significantly more expensive.  (Or at least, it was several years ago; by now the price may have come down to be more competitive with scalpel surgeries.)  

Good luck!!