Page 617 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

28 – THE CAT WITH BAD BREATH OR ORAL LESIONS 609

Treatment Clinical signs

Long-term broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Hemorrhage may be significant if acute.
Surgery (rhinotomy) to curette sinuses may be tried as Sudden onset of reluctance to groom, excessive saliva-
a salvage procedure. tion and reluctance to eat.

Halitosis develops as tissue becomes infected.
ORAL FOREIGN BODY*
Laceration may be on the dorsal surface or sublingual
(more often).
Classical signs
● Gagging, pawing at mouth.
Diagnosis
● Halitosis.
● Dysphagia. Visualize the laceration.

Clinical signs Differential diagnosis
Sudden onset of gagging and pawing at the mouth. Foreign bodies can usually be seen.

Dysphagia. The cat will often appear very hungry but Ulcerations secondary to trauma.
has difficulty swallowing.
Rapid jaw and tongue movements. Treatment
Surgical debridement and repair.
Diagnosis
Evidence of foreign body or trauma caused by the for- INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH
eign body in the oral cavity or pharynx. ESOPHAGEAL AND LOWER AIRWAY
Most commonly the tongue or pharynx are involved DISEASE
especially with string or cotton.
Classical signs
Differential diagnosis ● Dysphagia, regurgitation (esophageal
Oral tumors. These can be differentiated visually from disease).
a foreign body. ● Dyspnea, coughing (lower airway disease).

Traumatic lacerations. These are usually associated
with hemorrhage and no foreign body will be found on Clinical signs
examination.
Halitosis.
Treatment Dysphagia, regurgitation and possible reluctance to eat
with esophageal disease. Esophageal tumors and for-
Removal of the foreign body.
eign bodies are most often associated with halitosis.
Dyspnea, coughing with lower airway disease. Foreign
BACTERIAL INFECTION OF TONGUE bodies, airway tumors and purulent bacterial infec-
LACERATIONS* tions are most frequently associated with halitosis.

Classical signs Diagnosis
● Hemorrhage.
Radiography to demonstrate lesions.
● Reluctance to groom and excessive salivation.
Auscultation and ultrasonography.