Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

234 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
trap food and saliva, creating a constantly wet environment that favors bacterial
growth. When the folds are flattened, a raw surface is visible. The foul
odor is often the reason for seeking medical attention.
Treatment: Treat as described for Skin Fold Pyoderma, page 159.
MOUTH LACERATIONS
Lacerations of the lips, gums, and tongue are common. Most occur during
fights with other animals. Occasionally a dog accidentally bites her own lip or
tongue, usually because of a badly positioned canine tooth. Dogs can cut their
tongues picking up and licking sharp objects, such as the top of a food can.
An unusual cause of tongue trauma is freezing to metal in extremely cold
weather. When the tongue pulls free, epithelium strips off, leaving a raw,
bleeding surface.
Treatment: Control lip bleeding by applying pressure to the cut for 5 to 10
minutes. Grasp the lip between the fingers using a clean gauze dressing or a
piece of linen. Bleeding from the tongue is difficult to control with direct
pressure. Calm the dog and proceed to the nearest veterinary clinic.
Minor cuts that have stopped bleeding do not need to be sutured. Stitching
should be considered when the edges gape open, when the laceration involves
the lip border, or when bleeding persists after the pressure dressing is removed.
Cuts into the muscle of the tongue will need suturing, as well.
During healing, clean the dog’s mouth twice a day with an antiseptic
mouth wash, as described in the treatment of stomatitis (page 235). Feed a
soft diet for one week.
If the laceration was caused by a poorly positioned tooth, the tooth should
be extracted or realigned.
MOUTH BURNS
Electrical burns of the mouth are caused by chewing on electric cords (see Electric
Shock, page 21). Most heal spontaneously, but in some cases a grayish ulcer develops
at the site of the burn. The ulcer may need to be surgically removed.
Chemical burns of the mouth are common. They are caused by licking a
corrosive substance such as lye, phenol, phosphorus, household cleaners, or
alkalis. If the dog swallows the chemical, her esophagus or stomach may also
be burned.
Treatment: For emergency treatment of oral chemical burns, sponge and
rinse the mouth with copious amounts of tap water. Then transport the dog as
quickly as possible to the nearest veterinary clinic for treatment of poisoning.
If there must be a delay, follow the instructions for Corrosive Household
Products (page 34). The aftercare for burns of the mouth is the same as that
described on this page for stomatitis.