Page 667 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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severe.
• Evidence of tooth root infection If the mouth is inspected with a gag in place, there may
VetBooks.ir be evidence of a dental problem affecting one of the back molars in the upper jaw, e.g. a
loose, broken or missing tooth. The gum surrounding a particular tooth may be inflamed
or separated from the tooth. There may be a foul-smelling discharge from a draining
sinus near the tooth and the horse’s breath may smell unpleasant. The horse may
experience pain on eating. However, in some cases of sinusitis secondary to dental
disease, there is no obvious abnormality visible in the horse’s mouth.
• Enlargement of the submandibular lymph node This may occur on the affected side.
• The presence of air under the skin This sometimes occurs if the horse has experienced
facial trauma, e.g. a depression fracture caused by a kick or polo ball. This is usually
accompanied by soft tissue swelling and pain.
• Poor performance and behaviour changes A horse with sinusitis may well have a
headache which is more painful with athletic activity, especially jumping or galloping.
