Management and Outcome of Maxillofacial Trauma in a 9-Week-Old Dog.

This case report describes diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of maxillofacial trauma in a 9-week-old shih tzu. In addition to an open left mandibular body fracture and a right condylar process fracture, there were several relatively stable and minimally displaced right maxillary fractures. The torn soft tissues associated with the left mandibular body fracture were sutured closed, and a tape muzzle was placed. Due to sufficient fracture healing at the 2-week recheck examination, the tape muzzle was removed. The 6-week reexamination confirmed continued healing and recovery. Anesthesia was performed at the 5.5-month reexamination when the dog was 8 months old, revealing the presence of persistent deciduous teeth, linguoverted, malformed, and partially erupted permanent teeth, and asymmetric skeletal malocclusion (in addition to the breed-specific mandibular mesioclusion). Persistent deciduous teeth and linguoverted and malformed permanent teeth were extracted to allow for normal opening and closing of the mouth without traumatic occlusion. Long-term follow-up is recommended in juvenile dogs with maxillofacial injuries in order to prevent, recognize, and treat dental complications resulting from the trauma.

Lingual lesions in the dog and cat: recognition, diagnosis, and treatment.

The tongue plays many vital roles in the oral cavity of the dog and cat. Consequently, lingual lesions can have devastating effects on an animal's overall health. This article provides a review of tongue anatomy as well as a review of the etiology, gross appearance, and diagnostic procedures indicated for a wide variety of lingual lesions. Lingual pathologic conditions that are reviewed include traumatic, metabolic, idiopathic, infectious, immune-mediated, hereditary, and neoplastic lesions. This article also describes current concepts in the medical management of lingual lesions.