Tongue Lesions in Dogs

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Tongue lesions in dogs get unreported unless there are acute injuries, and those injuries lead to bleeding. The dog cannot eat in a normal manner if it suffers from lesions. Many dog owners are unaware that toys are an overwhelming cause of lesions. Dogs suffer due to foreign body penetration like porcupine quills and plants and even trauma. Electronic mixing machines also cause tongue lesions in canines. Chewing live electric wires may traumatize the dog and results in tongue lesions. Such injuries can be limited only to the tongue or extend to multiple organs. It is essential to stabilize the dog before you begin treating the lesion.

Careful observation

The list of lesions include lacerations, tumors, tongue burns, and macerations. Most tongue lesions in dogs are not life-threatening. A good vascular supply inside the tongue means most injuries heal quickly and without a trace. If you wish to treat your dog to tongue lesions, then plan the treatment procedures before starting one. Dog tongue lesions must be diagnosed first. To do this, the veterinarian would do histology and tissue biopsy. In many cases, careful observation of the canine could identify why the lesions occurred in the first place. It is possible to see foreign bodies and the dental malocclusion upon careful observation.

Most tongue lesions in dogs heal completely without any kind of treatment. Surgical intervention, however, gets frequently prescribed to quicken the healing process. It is also required to remove any foreign masses. When it comes to canines, the latter is found more on the sides of the tongue or the top of the organ. If you want to eliminate the possibility of tongue lesions in your dog, then an annual physical examination of the dog's mouth is a must.

Annual veterinary examination

The annual oral examination of the dog is done to find problems (if any) with all oral diseases, teeth, and periodontal disease. The oral examination begins with careful observation of the dog's face. It is a recognized fact there could be normal variations between breeds while going through for abnormalities. There could be malocclusion, or the bite could be wrong. Look for a swollen face or any discharge from the draining tracks. The dog may be observed to chew on only one side. This is generally done to avoid pain. The result would be increased deposits of calculus on that side.  Sensitive or fractured teeth may lead to facial swelling, dental infection. There could be soft tissue problems linked with soft palate (the roof of the mouth) buccal mucosa ( inside cheeks) or the gingiva or gums. Further detection must be done if any unusual odor is detected. This oral examination is best performed after sedating the canine.