Page 783 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

758 CHAPTER 4

VetBooks.ir 4.76 4.77

Fig. 4.76 A laceration to the right lower lip of a few Fig. 4.77 An old wound of the upper lip that has
days’ duration. This could easily be freshened up and been allowed to heal by second intention and which
repaired at this stage. has distorted the outline and affected function.
(Photo courtesy Graham Munroe)

Clinical presentation
4.78 Traumatic wounds to the mouth involving foreign
bodies or very sharp dental overgrowths may bleed
profusely initially, but rapidly cease discharging and
in normal circumstances will heal spontaneously in
3–10 days. The presence of foreign material in the
wound will result in delayed healing, or the forma-
tion of a sinus tract communicating with the foreign
body. Eventually abscessation may occur. Such cases
may present with a painful soft-tissue swelling in the
oral cavity, particularly in the intermandibular space,
which may be palpable externally. Foetid discharges
may exude from sinus tracts associated with foreign
bodies and halitosis, hypersalivation and pain when
masticating may be observed. Abscessation involv-
ing the tongue can be extremely painful and is dif-
ficult to diagnose. Regional lymph nodes, including
the submandibulars, may be enlarged. Lacerations
Fig. 4.78 Severe ulceration of the tongue can ensue or ulceration (Fig. 4.78) of the tongue may be asso-
where sharp dental prominences and dysmastication ciated with reluctance to accept the bit or pain when
are present. ridden on the bridle.