Difference between revisions of "Glossitis"

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==Description==
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Acute or chronic inflammation of the tongue usually secondary to an infectious, physical, chemical or metabolic cause.
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Infectious causes include [[Feline Calicivirus|calicivirus]], [[Feline Herpesvirus 1|feline herpesvirus]], panleukopanenia, [[Fungi|fungal]], necrotising stomatitis and [[:Category:Leptospiraceae|leptospirosis]]. Physical causes may be irritation from [[Periodontal Disease|periodontal disease]], foreign bodies and trauma. Metabolic causes such as [[Kidney Renal Failure - Pathology#Uraemia|uraemia]], vitamin deficiencies and hypoparathyoidism can also be responsible.
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Additionally heavy metal poisoning and other chemicals can cause glossitis.
  
 
==Signalment==
 
==Signalment==
*Long coated dogs that commonly get plant seeds stuck in their coats.
+
Any animal can become affected however dogs are more frequently at risk due to their non discriminatory eating habits.
==Description==
+
 
Acute or chronic inflammation of the tongue usually secondary to an infectious, physical, chemical or metabolic cause:
 
*'''Infectious''': [[Feline Calicivirus|calicivirus]], [[Feline Herpesvirus 1|feline herpesvirus]], panleukopanenia, [[Fungi|fungal]], necrotising stomatitis and [[:Category:Leptospiraceae|leptospirosis]]
 
*'''Physical''': irritation from [[Periodontal Disease|periodontal disease]], foreign bodies and trauma
 
*'''Metabolic''': [[Kidney Renal Failure - Pathology#Uraemia|uraemia]], vitamin deficiencies and hypoparathyoidism
 
*'''Chemical''': heavy metal poisoning
 
 
==Diagnosis==
 
==Diagnosis==
 
===History===
 
===History===
Ingestion of a foreign body
+
There may be a history of ingestion of a foreign body or access to chemicals.
 +
 
 
===Clinical Signs===
 
===Clinical Signs===
*drooling
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Include drooling, bleeding, dysphagia, a reddened, swollen and ulcerated tongue edge in the case of [[Periodontal Disease|periodontal disease]].  
*bleeding
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A foreign body may be visualised under the tongue (they may become embedded so that they cannot be palpated).  
*dysphagia
 
*a reddened, swollen and ulcerated tongue edge in the case of [[Periodontal Disease|periodontal disease]].  
 
*visualisation of a foreign body under the tongue (they may become embedded so that they cannot be palpated).  
 
 
*acute swelling in the case of insect stings  
 
*acute swelling in the case of insect stings  
 
*in chronic ulcerative glossitis there may be a thick, malodourous brown discharge.  
 
*in chronic ulcerative glossitis there may be a thick, malodourous brown discharge.  

Revision as of 13:06, 11 August 2010


Description

Acute or chronic inflammation of the tongue usually secondary to an infectious, physical, chemical or metabolic cause. Infectious causes include calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, panleukopanenia, fungal, necrotising stomatitis and leptospirosis. Physical causes may be irritation from periodontal disease, foreign bodies and trauma. Metabolic causes such as uraemia, vitamin deficiencies and hypoparathyoidism can also be responsible. Additionally heavy metal poisoning and other chemicals can cause glossitis.

Signalment

Any animal can become affected however dogs are more frequently at risk due to their non discriminatory eating habits.

Diagnosis

History

There may be a history of ingestion of a foreign body or access to chemicals.

Clinical Signs

Include drooling, bleeding, dysphagia, a reddened, swollen and ulcerated tongue edge in the case of periodontal disease. A foreign body may be visualised under the tongue (they may become embedded so that they cannot be palpated).

  • acute swelling in the case of insect stings
  • in chronic ulcerative glossitis there may be a thick, malodourous brown discharge.

Definitive Diagnosis

Careful examination of the entire mouth which the animal may resisit.

Treatment

Involves treating the primary cause. Removal of any foreign objects or diseased teeth. Systemic antibiotics for bacterial causes. Debridement, 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwashes, lingual curettage (in the case of a deep foreign body) may also be used to treat glossitis. Nutritional support should be offered if required.

References

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual