When it comes to our beloved pets, their health and well-being are of the utmost importance. While we often focus on aspects like nutrition, exercise, and routine check-ups, one crucial aspect that sometimes goes unnoticed is dental health. Periodontal disease is a common yet often...
To comprehend the meaning behind excessive drooling in dogs, it's crucial to understand the normal anatomy and physiology of saliva production. Dogs constantly produce and secrete saliva into their oral cavity from salivary glands. There are four pairs of major salivary glands in dogs: the parotid,...
While dogs typically perform wide, toothy yawns effortlessly, there are instances where they may exhibit signs of pain or difficulty when opening their mouths. These signs can include crying out, jerking their head back while attempting to yawn or chew on something firm, limited jaw...
Sialoceles , or accumulation of saliva in subcutaneous tissues, are often traumatic in origin, and can be seen in cases of iatrogenic injury. Saliva accumulates when the salivary duct is obstructed or ruptured. Although the swelling itself is usually painless, the clinical signs can...
Masticatory myositis is a neuromuscular disorder that affects dogs and literally means inflammation of the muscles involved in chewing (mastication). With this autoimmune disease, the body starts attacking its own cells for unknown reasons. In the early stages, the muscles involved in chewing can become...
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body starts attacking its own cells. Pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid are two immune mediated diseases that are seen within the mouth. The exact appearance of the disease varies but the inflammation is usually characterized by redness and changes in...
An oronasal fistula is a connection between the mouth and the nose secondary to severe periodontal bone loss and periodontal disease. Nasal discharge, sneezing, and bad breath are often the result of oronasal fistulae. Fistulae are often noted with close examination under general anesthesia. If the...
Mandibular and maxillary fractures in pets can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is trauma. Fractures secondary to periodontal disease, oral cancer, and endocrine disorders are also possible. Finally, iatrogenic fractures which occur during tooth extraction or cancer surgery can occasionally...