Addressing Oral Lacerations in Dogs

20 Jan Addressing Oral Lacerations in Dogs

Oral lacerations occur infrequently in dogs, as compared to other lacerations on the body.  Commonly, they are the result of trauma, such as sticks, dog bites, and blunt trauma.  Oral lacerations on the lips may be readily identified. However, lacerations occurring in the mouth or on the tongue can easily be missed.  Unless the inciting cause is witnessed, swelling, blood-tinged saliva, or a foul smell from infection may be noticed much later after the trauma.

Treatment of Oral Lacerations in Dogs

As with any trauma, an evaluation by a veterinarian is recommended.  Depending on the inciting cause, it is important to make sure that the patient is stable and that there are no other injuries that need to be addressed before focusing on oral lacerations.  To thoroughly assess and treat any oral laceration, sedation and/or anesthesia is necessary.

In many cases, oral lacerations need to be cleaned and debrided to remove any dirt, debris, and/or unhealthy tissue before being sutured closed.  Initially, the oral cavity can be rinsed with an oral antiseptic solution, and the wound should be explored to determine the extent and depth of the laceration.  Any traumatized or devitalized tissue must be debrided. Warm saline can then be used to flush the wound, rinsing away any debris.

Some dogs and cats dealing with oral lacerations may not be stable enough to undergo an anesthetic procedure immediately, depending on the source of the trauma. If a pet has had some type of head trauma, it is often advised to wait at least 24-48 hours before having an anesthetic procedure.

Board-certified veterinary dentists often work in facilities with other veterinary specialists and can have the assistance of a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist to help with these procedures. Sometimes this is available via livestream monitoring with an anesthesiologist who is offsite, but in constant contact with the veterinary team working with the patient.

Once the wound has been cleaned, it can be sutured closed using an absorbable suture that will dissolve over time.  Suturing the laceration helps to speed the healing of the oral tissues by preventing food material, dirt, hair, or other debris from getting trapped in the wound, which would lead to inflammation and infection.  Suturing is a much better treatment option than leaving the wound open and hoping it will heal on its own.

Dog Dentist in Colorado Springs

In general, oral lacerations tend to heal well due to the environment of the oral cavity, the nature of the oral mucosa, and the ample blood supply in the mouth.  Good technique and attention to detail during laceration repair are also vital to the success of the procedure. If properly addressed, dog mouth lacerations heal with minimal complications and have a very good prognosis. If you are looking for a caring and knowledgeable dog dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, give us a call today.