Characterization of Oral Pathology in Cats Affected by Patellar Fracture and Dental Anomaly Syndrome (PADS).

Patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome (PADS) is a congenital bone disease of cats that is characterized by atraumatic bone fractures (most commonly the patella), the persistence of deciduous teeth, and impaction of permanent teeth. Jaw swelling due to osteomyelitis is often the reason that cats with PADS are presented for veterinary dental care. The clinical history, oral examination findings, dental radiological findings, and histopathology were evaluated for 13 cats with dental and skeletal pathology consistent with PADS, including 9 with osteomyelitis. Cats in this study were predominantly domestic shorthair (12 of 13 cats), and there was no apparent sex predilection. All cats had multiple persistent deciduous teeth and multiple impacted permanent teeth, although the number of persistent and impacted teeth varied. Osteomyelitis of the jaw typically occurred within the first 4 years of life. Osteomyelitis of the mandible was 4 times more common than osteomyelitis of the maxilla. Histologically, osteomyelitis was chronic, neutrophilic, and osteoproliferative. Necrotic bone was confirmed in 67% of osteomyelitis lesions. Histological evaluation of jaws without inflammation demonstrated abnormal amounts of unmodeled bone, abnormally dense bone, and retention of cartilage in the caudal mandible. Three cats in the study had mandibular distoclusion and 2 had concurrent paronychia. To obtain a favorable clinical outcome in PADS cats with jaw swelling, prompt and aggressive surgical treatment of osteomyelitis is required. Extraction of persistent deciduous teeth and impacted permanent teeth is recommended when there is associated periodontitis or osteomyelitis.

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.

Pilot evaluation of a novel test strip for the assessment of dissolved thiol levels, as an indicator of canine gingival health and periodontal status.

This study evaluated a novel test strip designed to assess thiol levels as they relate to gingival/periodontal health in dogs. The simple to use strip (similar in form to a pH test strip) provides a colorimetric signal which estimates the level of thiols dissolved in oral fluid. Among several oral sites tested (left and right lingual vestibules, lower buccal vestibule, and upper buccal gingival margin), fluid from the maxillary gingival margin gave results with the best dynamic range, and its thiol levels correlated well with several oral health parameters (Pearson coefficients between 0.55 and 0.84; P < 0.001), especially those relating directly to the gingiva. The strip, which can be used on animals which are awake, may be useful as a quick, objective assessment of periodontal health, potentially enhancing compliance for thorough examinations, and promoting earlier and better-sustained treatment programs.

Évaluation pilote d'un nouveau bâtonnet diagnostique pour l'évaluation des taux de thiol dissous comme indicateur de la santé gingivale canine et de la situation parodontale. Cette étude a évalué un nouveau bâtonnet diagnostique conçu pour évaluer les taux de thiol tels qu'ils se rapportent à la santé gingivale et parodontale des chiens. Le bâtonnet facile à utiliser (de forme semblable à un bâtonnet diagnostique de pH) fournit un signal colorimétrique qui estime le taux de thiols dissous dans le liquide buccal. Parmi plusieurs sites buccaux testés (vestibules linguaux gauche et droit, vestibule buccal inférieur et bord marginal de la gencive buccale supérieure), le liquide du bord marginal de la gencive maxillaire a donné les résultats avec le meilleur écart dynamique et ses taux de thiol correspondaient bien à plusieurs paramètres de la santé buccale (coefficients de Pearson entre 0,55 et 0,84; P < 0,001), particulièrement ceux se rapportant directement à la gencive. Le bâtonnet, qui peut être utilisé sur les animaux lorsqu'ils sont éveillés, pourra être utile comme évaluation objective rapide de la santé parodontale, ce qui rehaussera potentiellement l'observance pour des examens complets et fera la promotion de programmes de traitement mieux soutenus qui sont administrés plus tôt.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

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.