>to the docs: rascal , male, 1 1/2 years, has had a white spot/lump in his
>throat on the left side for about 2 weeks...
>...  also he has a broken?  tooth.  (it is a dark brown) on the same side.
 
For the lump, how big is it?  If it looks small like acne, it may be a
vesicle which might be secondary to a cold.  If it s larger (greater than
1/4 inch), I would think of an abscess.  Best to take this one to a vet for
an up close look.
 
The tooth is dead.  That is, the enamel shell has been cracked and the vital
structures (blood vessel and nerve) are no longer functioning in the tooth.
The brown color is either old red blood cell pigment from hemorrhage or an
infection might have discolored the enamel.  Typically this is a non-painful
condition.  There is slight risk of an infection down the road.  Your vet
might be able to perform a root canal or vital pulpotomy to lessen this
risk.
 
>I know of the recommendation to use cat hairball laxative, but I was
>wondering what the thoughts were on the use of mineral oil as a preventive
 
Problem with mineral oil (cod liver oil, etc.) is that if it goes down the
trachea instead of the esophagus, you run a very real risk of a severe
secondary aspiration pneumonia. Specially made hairball remedies are better.
 
I hope this helps a little.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
[Posted in FML issue 1416]