Oral Masses

Oral exams are about more than just the teeth. Many different kinds of oral masses can develop in horses. While some of these masses are luckily benign and just bothersome, some can be painful and deadly. Some common oral masses are papillomas, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinoma. Only during a sedated exam with a speculum, light, and a mirror can these masses be visualized and biopsied for a proper diagnosis.