강아지 구강 궤양 자주 묻는 질문 Q&A — 보호자가 꼭 알아야 할 핵심

Canine Oral Ulcers FAQ — Key Information Pet Owners Must Know

Oral HealthQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

Canine oral ulcers can be a serious issue, causing pain and decreased appetite. Here’s a summary of key questions and management strategies that pet owners should know.

What Are Canine Oral Ulcers?

Canine oral ulcers are wounds caused by damage to the mucous membranes inside the mouth, which can lead to pain and a decreased appetite. - Oral Ulcers: This condition involves the peeling or abrasion-like damage of the oral mucosa. In severe cases, the pain can be so intense that eating becomes impossible. - Diverse Causes: Infections, immune-mediated diseases, trauma, and allergic reactions can all trigger these ulcers. - Risk of Chronicity: If treatment is delayed, ulcers may recur or become chronic. - Importance of Early Detection: It is essential to develop the habit of regularly checking your dog’s mouth for any changes. - Difficulty in Recognizing Pain: Since dogs cannot verbally express pain, it is crucial to closely monitor them for behavioral changes.

What Are the Main Causes of Oral Ulcers?

There are various causes of oral ulcers in dogs. - Immune system disorders: Chronic ulcerative stomatitis occurs when the immune system malfunctions. - Infectious factors: Bacterial or viral infections can cause inflammation in the mouth. - Trauma: Hard treats, bones, or toys can injure the mouth. - Allergic reactions: Dogs may exhibit hypersensitivity to certain ingredients in their food or to chemicals. - Drug side effects: Some medications can irritate the oral mucosa. - Genetic predisposition: Certain breeds tend to be more susceptible to oral ulcers.

A diagram explaining the causes of oral ulcers.

What Are the Main Symptoms of Oral Ulcers?

Dogs with oral ulcers may show a variety of warning signs. - Decreased appetite: They may drop their food after picking it up or refuse to open their mouth. - Worsening bad breath: Inflammation or infection in the mouth can cause a noticeable odor. - Increased drooling: Pain often leads to excessive salivation. - Changes in mucous membranes: You may notice red spots, white patches, or ulcers inside the mouth. - Reaction to touch: They may pull away, run, or bark when their mouth is touched, indicating pain. - Weight loss: Reduced food intake can lead to gradual weight loss.

Signs That Require Immediate Veterinary Care

If your dog refuses to eat or drink, won’t open its mouth, or is drooling excessively, seek veterinary care immediately. Severe pain or rapid weight loss are also emergency signs.

How Are Oral Ulcers Diagnosed?

Dogs with oral ulcers require a precise diagnosis from a veterinarian. - Direct oral examination: The veterinarian will carefully examine your dog’s mouth to check the location and size of the ulcers. - Blood tests: These help determine inflammation levels or any immune system abnormalities. - Tissue biopsy: A small tissue sample is taken to assess whether the ulcer is malignant. - Infection testing: Tests may also be conducted to check for bacterial or viral infections. - Importance of identifying the cause: Treating without an accurate diagnosis may only provide temporary relief of symptoms.

A veterinarian examining a puppy's mouth

What Are the Treatment Options?

Treatment for oral ulcers depends on the underlying cause. - Infection treatment: If a bacterial infection is present, antibiotics are prescribed. - Immune modulation: If an immune-mediated disease is the cause, immunosuppressants are used. - Pain relief: Pain medication is administered to reduce your dog’s discomfort. - Oral hygiene and dental procedures: Specialized oral rinses help reduce inflammation, while plaque management and necessary dental procedures, such as extractions, support wound healing. - Nutritional support: Soft food is provided to ensure adequate nutrition, with careful attention to maintaining body weight. - Regular follow-up examinations: Ongoing monitoring and consultation with your veterinarian are essential throughout the treatment process.

A veterinarian administering oral medication to a puppy

Home Care Management

Managing your dog’s oral ulcers requires consistent care at home. - Offer soft food: Reduce mealtime discomfort by serving broth, soup, or jelly-based dog food. - Gentle oral cleaning: Carefully wipe the inside of the mouth using a soft toothbrush or gauze. - Use a mouthwash: Regularly apply a veterinarian-recommended oral rinse. - Minimize stress: Provide a quiet environment where your dog can rest comfortably. - Manage meal times: Maintain a consistent feeding schedule and prevent rapid eating. - Monitor daily: Check your dog’s mouth every day and keep a record of any changes.

Characteristics and Management by Type of Oral Ulcer

Item	Cause	Main Symptoms	Management
Chronic ulcerative stomatitis	Immune system disorder (e.g., CCUS/CUPS)	Oral pain, excessive drooling, decreased appetite, reluctance to open the mouth	Immunosuppressants, antibiotics, oral rinses, surgical treatment including tooth extraction
Infectious ulcers	Bacterial or viral infection	Red spots, white spots, warmth, excessive drooling	Antibiotics, antivirals, bacterial culture and treatment based on the cause of infection
Traumatic ulcers	Trauma such as striking a tooth, hard treats, or bone fragments	Bleeding wounds, refusal to open the mouth, reaction when the mouth is touched	Disinfection, pain relief, surgical trauma assessment and recovery management

An accurate diagnosis is essential because each type requires its own appropriate treatment.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can oral ulcers in dogs be treated?

Yes, treatment is possible depending on the underlying cause. If it’s an immune-mediated condition, we manage it with immunosuppressive medications; if it’s an infection, we treat it with antibiotics. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are key.

Can oral ulcers be transmitted to humans?

There is no clear evidence that oral ulcers in dogs are directly contagious to humans. Most cases arise from individual dog-specific issues such as immune system abnormalities, trauma, or localized infections. However, for hygiene purposes, it’s a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly after coming into direct contact with saliva or affected areas.

What kind of food should I give my pet if they develop oral ulcers?

Offer soft foods such as meat broth, meat purée, jelly-type pet food, or dough-like meals. Be careful to avoid anything that could irritate the mouth.

Can oral ulcers recur?

Yes, if the underlying cause isn’t removed or immune dysfunction persists, the condition can recur. This is especially important to keep in mind with chronic inflammatory diseases.

Do oral ulcers occur more frequently in certain breeds?

Yes, certain breeds may be more susceptible to oral conditions such as chronic ulcerative stomatitis. For example, it is more frequently reported in some purebred dogs, like Shih Tzus. However, the exact cause has not yet been clearly identified.

Top Recommended Products and Selection Criteria for Preventing Tartar and Plaque in Dogs

Top 5 Recommended Pet Tartar Control Products for 2026

Top Recommended Products for Managing Canine Oral Fungal Infections and Selection Criteria

Is Kidney Transplantation in Cats Really Possible? — Surgical Criteria and Survival Rates

Can Cats with Poor Kidney Function Take Omega-3? — A Complete Guide to Effects and Feeding Precautions

Should I definitely feed my cat prescription renal food? — A guide to its effects and proper feeding methods

What are feline kidney tumors? — How do benign and malignant differ?

Why Does Feline Renal Fibrosis Occur? — Understanding the Progression Mechanism and How to Slow It Down

Are Feline Renal Cysts Dangerous? — From Causes and Symptoms to When to Visit the Vet

What Are Cat Kidney Markers BUN, Creatinine, and SDMA? — Interpretation and When to Visit the Vet

References

[1] Saito T., Chambers J.K., Nakashima K. et al. (2018) Histopathologic features of colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma developing within inflammatory polyps in Miniature Dachshunds. Vet Pathol 55(5):654–662.

[2] Taillieu E., Chiers K., Amorim I. et al. (2022) Gastric Helicobacter species associated with dogs, cats and pigs: Significance for public and animal health. Vet Res 53(1):42.

[3] Cochran L., Hill S., Lotti U. et al. (2021) Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of E. coli-associated diseases in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 35(2):501–510.