This is an inflammatory disease that affects adult dogs of any breed or sex; however, Maltese, Cocker Spaniels, and Terriers seem to present it more frequently. The etiology is not fully defined, but hypersensitivity or intolerance to dental plaque appears to be a triggering factor for this pathology.
What are the Symptoms and How is it Diagnosed?
The most frequent symptoms are: pain, depression, anorexia, difficulty opening the mouth, drooling, halitosis (bad breath), and mandibular lymphadenopathy.
The lesions observed are stomatitis of the mucosa in contact with dental surfaces that have plaque and tartar. This mucosal stomatitis can occur with or without ulceration. The gums are also often affected. Additionally, periodontal disease may or may not be present. The alveolar, labial, buccal, and palatal mucosa are the most affected, along with the edges of the tongue that are in contact with the dental surface. Well-defined contact ulcers can be seen (common in the area of the maxillary canine tooth) or diffuse ulcerations, especially in the cheek area (this is more common in the last premolars and molars of the maxillary region). The labial commissure may be affected, making it difficult for the dog to open its mouth, and dermatitis of the lip fold is sometimes observed.
Diagnosis is made in the clinic and involves examination under sedation and histopathology. The differential diagnosis includes mucositis secondary to systemic diseases such as uremia and infectious diseases, lesions due to contact with toxins, adverse drug reactions, traumatic lesions (self-trauma, burns...), stomatitis associated with chemo or radiotherapy, other autoimmune diseases (pemphigus, lupus...), and epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma.
Treatment
The aim of treatment is to reduce or eliminate the presence of plaque on the dental surfaces. In mild cases, maintaining daily dental hygiene through brushing with toothpaste is recommended. The use of products that facilitate the reduction of plaque is indicated, but these do not replace daily brushing. If cleaning the dental surface is not sufficient, extraction of the teeth involved in the lesions is recommended. This means that in very severe cases, extraction of all teeth may be indicated.
In these cases of high severity, the fact that patients do not have teeth does not interfere with their ability to eat; they can eat both soft food and kibble normally.
Pain management with analgesic drugs is essential until the lesions have completely disappeared.
It is important to go to trusted clinics that offer specialized services. At IVEM, we are a center specialized in the prevention and treatment of oral cavity pathologies, and we have a qualified and constantly trained human team. Professionals with a responsibility towards each of their patients will always recommend the most appropriate treatment for each case.
