Difference between revisions of "Tongue Trauma"

Revision as of 08:46, 12 August 2009

Signalment

Usually young animals that play or chew with cables.

Description

Can be thermal, chemical, or electrical in aetiology and can involve the lips, buccal mucosa and palates as well as the tongue. The injuries sustained vary from mild to severe. Linear scars appear from electrical cable chewing along with discolouring of teeth and burns at the side of the mouth. Ulceration may appear following ingestion of caustic substances

Diagnosis

History

Cat fight
Seen playing with or eating a foreign body
Chewing electric cables
ingestion of caustics

Clinical Signs

drooling saliva
reluctance to eat
bleeding
pawing at mouth
secondary infections

Definitive Diagnosis

Inspection under a general anaesthetic making sure to check under the tongue for foreign bodies.

Treatment

Caustic chemicals: exagerated flushing of the mouth with water.
Lacerations: Primary or secondary repair with or without debridement.
General: Antibiotics, palliative treatment aimed at reducing oral discomfort including anti-inflammatory drugs, mainly corticosteroids. Assisted feeding (Naso-oesophageal, oesophageal, ventricular or enteral) should be used if normal feeding cannot be maintained.

Prognosis

References

Tutt, C., Deeprose, J. and Crossley, D., (2007) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry (3rd Edition) BSAVA

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 *secondary infections
 ===Definitive Diagnosis===
-Inspection uder a General anaesthetic making sure to check under the tongue for foreign bodies.
+Inspection under a general anaesthetic making sure to check under the tongue for foreign bodies.
 ==Treatment==
-The animal should be evaluated and treated for systemic involvement, which may be life-threatening in some cases
+*'''Caustic chemicals''': exagerated flushing of the mouth with water.
-If contact with a corrosive chemical is seen and the chemical is alkaline, the mouth may be flushed with mild solutions of vinegar or citrus juice; if the chemical is acidic, a solution of sodium bicarbonate may be used. Copious flushing of the mouth with water may help remove some of the chemical substances. More commonly, the animal is seen too long after the exposure for neutralization to be effective.
+*'''Lacerations''': Primary or secondary repair with or without debridement.
+*'''General''': Antibiotics, palliative treatment aimed at reducing oral discomfort including  anti-inflammatory drugs, mainly corticosteroids. Assisted feeding (Naso-oesophageal, oesophageal, ventricular or enteral) should be used if normal feeding cannot be maintained.
 ==Prognosis==
 ==References==
+Tutt, C., Deeprose, J. and Crossley, D., (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry (3rd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''