Prevalence of feline chronic gingivostomatitis in feral cats and its risk factors

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the prevalence of feline chronic gingivostomatitis in urban feral cats in South Korea and analysed its risk factors.

METHODS

Three hundred and forty-five feral cats that visited the hospital for neutering using a trap-neuter-return approach were screened for feline chronic gingivostomatitis based on clinical criteria. In addition, we determined if body weight, sex and the presence of tongue lesions are risk factors for feline chronic gingivostomatitis. The difference in severity due to the presence or absence of risk factors, and the relationship between gross findings and histopathological lesions, were analysed by grading lesion severity.

RESULTS

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis was diagnosed in 92 cats. Disease prevalence did not significantly differ with body weight and sex but was significantly related to tongue lesions.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The prevalence of feline chronic gingivostomatitis in urban feral cats in South Korea was 26.6%. It was significantly more prevalent in cats that had tongue lesions. Severity was also significantly associated with tongue lesions. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis may be associated with an infectious agent that causes tongue lesions.

Glossitis in an older non-corgi dog: Diagnosis and long-term follow-up

A 9-year-old spayed female 18.8 kg mixed breed boxer dog was referred for evaluation of a 7-month history of difficulty swallowing and prehending food, regurgitation, hypersalivation, and an abnormal dorsiflexion of the tongue. Prior to referral, a barium study was performed, which revealed a mildly dilated esophagus. Treatment with sucralfate, cisapride, and prednisone was initiated. Physical examination revealed bilateral, symmetric atrophy of the temporalis muscles, dorsiflexion of the distal aspect of the tongue with concurrent muscle atrophy, and a reduced gag reflex. Electrodiagnostic examinations revealed spontaneous electrical activity in the muscles of mastication and tongue. Biopsies from the right temporalis, tongue, and biceps femoris muscles were collected. An immune-mediated myositis with fibrosis, scattered CD3, CD4, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and upregulation of markers for major histocompatibility antigens were observed in the tongue and temporalis muscles. The dog was treated with a tapering course of prednisone over 2 months and cyclosporine long-term. The dog was maintained on cyclosporine alone for > 2 years and clinical signs remained static, although multiple episodes of aspiration pneumonia occurred. Ultimately, euthanasia was performed due to chronic kidney disease with associated anemia, lethargy, and anorexia.

Prevalence of p53 dysregulations in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma and non-neoplastic oral mucosa

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant oral tumor in cats. The late presentation is one of the factors contributing to the detrimental prognosis of this disease. The immunohistochemical expression of the p53 tumor suppressor protein has been reported in 24% to 65% of feline oral squamous cell carcinomas, but no study has systematically evaluated in this tumor the presence of p53 encoding gene (TP53) mutations. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether p53 immunohistochemistry accurately reflects the mutational status of the TP53 gene in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma. Additionally, the prevalence of p53 dysregulation in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma was compared with that of feline non-neoplastic oral mucosa, in order to investigate the relevance of these dysregulations in cancer development. The association between p53 dysregulations and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and tumor characteristics was further assessed. Twenty-six incisional biopsies of oral squamous cell carcinomas and 10 cases each of lingual eosinophilic granuloma, chronic gingivostomatitis and normal oral mucosa were included in the study. Eighteen squamous cell carcinomas (69%) expressed p53 and 18 had mutations in exons 5-8 of TP53. The agreement between immunohistochemistry and mutation analysis was 77%. None of non-neoplastic oral mucosa samples had a positive immunohistochemical staining, while one case each of eosinophilic granuloma and chronic gingivostomatitis harbored TP53 mutations. Unlike previously hypothesized, p53 dysregulations were not associated with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. These results suggest an important role of p53 in feline oral tumorigenesis. Additionally, the immunohistochemical detection of p53 expression appears to reflect the presence of TP53 mutations in the majority of cases. It remains to be determined if the screening for p53 dysregulations, alone or in association with other markers, can eventually contribute to the early detection of this devastating disease.

Epihyoid bone fracture associated with tongue deviation in an adult dog

An 8-month-old male Rhodesian ridgeback dog was evaluated for right lingual deviation, mild dysphagia, and inability to retract the tongue. Transverse and three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction images revealed a transverse fracture of the left epihyoid bone. After 4 months of conservative management, that included assisted feeding of a semi-liquid diet or small volumes of food and analgesics, the dog recovered.

Tongue nodules in canine leishmaniosis--a case report

BACKGROUND

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is an endemic zoonosis in southern European countries. Infected dogs can present rare or atypical forms of the disease and diagnosis can be challenging. The present report describes a case of tongue nodules in a 3-year-old neutered female Labrador Retriever dog with leishmaniosis.

FINDINGS

A fine needle aspiration of the lingual nodules revealed amastigote forms of Leishmania inside macrophages. Differential diagnosis ruled out neoplasia, calcinosis circumscripta, solar glossitis, vasculitis, amyloidosis, eosinophilic granulomas, chemical and electrical burns, uremic glossitis and autoimmune diseases. Combined therapy with antimoniate meglumine and allopurinol for 30 days resulted in the normalization of hematological and biochemical parameters. Two months after diagnosis and the beginning of treatment, a mild inflammatory infiltrate was observed by histopathology, but an anti-Leishmania immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was negative as well as a PCR on both tongue lesions and a bone marrow aspirate. Seven months after diagnosis, the dog's general condition appeared good, there were no tongue lesions and a new IFAT was negative. Fifteen months after diagnosis this clinically favourable outcome continued.

CONCLUSIONS

The dog could have suffered a relapsing episode of CanL, but a new systemic or local infection cannot be excluded. Regular clinical re-evaluation should be maintained, as a future relapse can potentially occur. In conclusion, CanL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nodular glossitis in dogs.

Diagnosis and successful treatment of a caudal lingual abscess in a geriatric dog

A 13-year-old, intact male, golden retriever was presented for glossomegaly. A diagnosis of a caudal lingual abscess was made by fine needle aspiration under general anesthesia. The dog showed marked clinical improvement following abscess drainage. Lingual abscesses should be included as a differential diagnosis in any dog with an unexplained acute glossomegaly.

Multiple masses in a horse's tongue resulting from an atypical perineurial cell proliferative disorder

A 5-year-old National Show horse mare presented with a soft mass on the left dorsolateral aspect of the tongue. Over the next 2 years, the mare developed numerous, similar, coalescing masses that extended along the left dorsolateral aspect to the tip of the tongue. Microscopically, the bases for these masses were slender, fusiform, mesenchymal cells that formed compact whorls around myelinated and unmyelinated nerves. These cells were labeled by antibodies directed against vimentin but not by S-100. Ultrastructurally, multiple, concentrically arranged, long, slender cell processes, with discontinuous external laminae and many pinocytotic vesicles, helped to accurately phenotype the proliferative element. Whether this unusual perineurial cell proliferative disorder is neoplastic or not remained a matter of conjecture.

[Ankyloglossia in an Anatolian Shepherd dog]

Ankyloglossia, commonknown as tongue-tie, is a rare congenital oral anomaly in dogs. A complete attachment of the lingual frenulum to the floor of the oral cavity leads to limited mobility of the tongue including problems during eating and swallowing. In humans ankyloglossia is a common anomaly in newborn infants. In our report a 5-month old Anatolian Shepherd dog was surgically treated and full function of the tongue could be achieved with a horizontal-to-vertical frenuloplasty.

Cytochemical detection of calcium in a case of calcinosis circumscripta in a dog

A 9-month-old intact female Serra-da-Estrela dog (giant Portuguese breed) was presented with a 2-month history of lingual lesions. Two hard, nodular, nonpainful lesions were observed on the lateral border of the tongue. Fine-needle aspiration yielded a chalky white material. Hemacolor-stained smears showed an amorphous granular basophilic background with crystal-like structures and granulomatous inflammation consisting of foamy macrophages and giant cells. Cytochemical staining with von Kossa and Alizarin red S confirmed the calcareous nature of the material. The cytologic diagnosis was lingual calcinosis circumscripta; this was later confirmed by histopathologic examination. To our knowledge, this case is the first to document the use of von Kossa and Alizarin red S on cytologic smears to obtain a definitive diagnosis of lingual calcinosis circumscripta.

Complete ventral ankyloglossia in three related dogs

Two 8-month-old and one 7.5-month-old Anatolian Shepherd dogs were examined because of excessive drooling and poor weight gain. The 2 older dogs were full brothers, and the younger dog was their half sister; all 3 had the same sire. Physical examination revealed that the dogs were unable to protrude their tongues properly. In all 3, the tip of the tongue was notched and deviated ventrally when the dog attempted to protrude the tongue. In addition, a thin tissue band between the sublingual surface of the tongue and the floor of the oral cavity was seen; this tissue band extended from the lingual frenulum to the gingiva of the mandibular incisors. Frenuloplasty was performed to correct the complete ventral ankyloglossia. Immediately after surgery, the tongue was more mobile, and during recheck examinations, the dogs appeared to be able to use their tongues normally and could protrude their tongues when panting. They had gained weight and weighed almost as much as their healthy siblings. In all 3 dogs, the tip of the tongue retained a "W" shape.

Lingual calcinosis circumscripta in a dog

Calcinosis circumscripta occurs rarely in dogs and cats, especially in the oral cavity. This case report describes the diagnosis and management of lingual calcinosis circumscripta in an eight-month-old, intact/male German shepherd-cross dog. An excellent prognosis for this disease may be achieved when the patient is managed as described in this report.

Lingual calcinosis circumscripta in a captive sitatunga

Calcinosis circumscripta (CC) was found in a 10-yr-old female sitatunga (Bovidae; Tragelaphus spekei). At necropsy, there were two white coalescing nodules (3 x 5 x 2 cm, 2 x 2 x 1.5 cm) on the ventral side of the tongue. The cut surface of the nodules had multiple, well-circumscribed loculi with chalky appearance and gritty consistency, separated by thin strands of connective tissue. Histologically, the nodules contained multiple loculi of various sizes and shapes, which consisted of amorphous material that was pale basophilic with H&E stain, surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. Around the loculi were numerous foreign body giant cells and epithelioid macrophages; occasional lymphocyte aggregations also were seen. The amorphous material was positive for PAS and von Kossa's stain. Calcinosis circumscripta is rare in the Bovidae.

[Enzootic ulcer in the back of the tongue in cattle after ingestion of hay containing flower clusters of yellow bristle-grass]

Chronically recidivating enzootic ulcerations in the tongues of numerous milking cows in the Po river plain area in Italy. The animals were permanently kept indoors in cubicle houses and fed by hay containing high amounts of ripe yellow bristle grass (Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv. [= S. pumila Poiret]). The panicled parts of the culms were found to be the cause of the massive injuries.

Ectopic lingual thyroid tissue in a cat

Ectopic thyroid tissue was identified at the base of the tongue in a 9-year-old, euthyroid, domestic shorthair cat. The lingual submucosa and the muscles were replaced by thyroid tissue, which consisted of various-sized follicles each lined by a row of cuboidal epithelium. Many follicles contained eosinophilic, periodic acid Schiff-positive, colloid material. Imunohistochemically, the epithelial cells stained positive for AE(1)/AE(3)and thyroglobulin. No calcitonin positive cells or parathyroid tissue was seen. The cat has been followed for 1018 days after surgery, is clinically well and remains euthyroid.

Heterotopic hairs in the tongue of two dogs

The occurrence of hairs in the median sulcus of the tongue in two dogs, a 7-year-old Rottweiler and a 10-year-old Cocker spaniel, is reported as an incidental observation at necropsy. The gross pathology of both cases and the histological and scanning electron microscopical findings in one case indicated a heterotopic development of the hairs, with secondary inflammation. The term pili heterotopici mediani linguae is suggested.

Anatomy, diagnosis and management of disorders of the tongue

The tongue is an integral and functional part of the oral cavity. This article reviews and describes various disorders of the tongue. A comprehensive description of diagnosis and management of tongue problems is included. A review of the anatomy related to the tongue is described.

A pathological study of bovine alimentary mycosis

A 10-year study showed that 45 of 692 cattle aged > 6 months had systemic mycosis and, of these, 38 had alimentary mycosis. The percentages of these 38 cattle with lesions in various sites were: rumen (73.7), omasum (71.1), abomasum (34.2), reticulum (21.1), intestine (15.8), omasoabomasal orifice (7.9) and tongue (2.6). Infections in both the forestomachs and abomasum occurred in 31.6 per cent; mucormycosis was found in 94.7 per cent and aspergillosis in 31.6 per cent; 26.3 per cent (10 cattle) had complicated infections with both Mucorales and Aspergillus and eight of these animals had mixed lesions of both mucormycosis and aspergillosis. Macroscopically, focal haemorrhagic necrosis was seen in all 38 cattle. Histologically, thrombosis, coagulative necrosis and hyphae typical of the order Mucorales or of Aspergillus spp. were found. Many of the cattle were also affected by ruminal acidosis-inducing factors (ruminal atony 81.6 per cent, mastitis 63.2 per cent, "downer cow syndrome" 57.9 per cent and parturition 50.0 per cent), which may have predisposed to alimentary mycosis.

An investigation of the causes of parturient calf mortality in shorthorn heifers

A study of parturient calf mortality in a herd of 250 Shorthorn cattle on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales is reported. Death rates as high as 44% from heifer groups are described. There were 30 parturient deaths of which 27 were confirmed as due to maternal dystocia. Pathological changes in many of the dystocia-caused deaths were minimal, but a congested, swollen tongue was a definitive lesion. The death rate was not significantly higher in heifers mated at 14 to 16 months of age than in those mated at 20 to 22 months, but significantly more male than female calves died from maternal dystocia. As two dead calves were affected with goitre, a comparative trial using parenteral iodine was designed. Ratios of thyroid weight to calf body weight were examined for 24 of the calves where the mean was 0.52 gm/kg. Goitre was found not to be a contributing factor to the calving mortality problem. The use of a Jersey bull for heifer matings eliminated the dystocia problem. The Jersey cross allowed safe, early mating at 14 months of age.

The occurrence of lesions in the tongue of adult cattle and their implications for the development of actinobacillosis

The occurrence of lesions on the tongue and the concurrence of actinobacillosis was investigated in samples consisting of totally 2,423 corpora and 947 apices linguarum of adult cattle. The investigation was made as an extended recording in connection with routine meat inspection. The diagnosis actinobacillosis is an assessment made on the gross pathological findings confirmed by consistent results of randomised samplings for histopathological and microbiological examination. The sampling was found to be representative of the mean of the phenomena investigated, and the samples were submitted to statistical analysis. Actinobacillosis was found in 2% of the lesions of the corpus as well as the apex, and the frequency on all tongues was 0.7%. These results are compared to previous findings. The importance of initial lesions for the development of actinobacilosis, and some factors predisposing for lesion infliction are discussed on the basis of the present results and literature sources. It is concluded, that there is a connection between primary lesions and actinobacillosis.

Observations on soft tissue calcification in DBA/2NCrj mice in comparison with CRJ:CD-1 mice

Male and female DBA/2NCrj (DBA/2) mice 3, 4, 5 and 10 weeks old were examined biochemically and pathologically and the results obtained were compared with those for CRJ:CD-1 (ICR) mice of the same age. The plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol tended to be lower in DBA/2 mice than in ICR mice but the levels of non-esterified fatty acid, calcium and inorganic phosphorus were almost the same in the two strains. The mean body weight of DBA/2 mice was significantly lower than that of ICR mice at each examination, and the relative weights of the hearts of male and female DBA/2 mice were significantly greater than those of male and female ICR mice. Cardiac calcinosis, tongue calcification and corneal degeneration occurred exclusively in DBA/2 mice with incidences of 30%-100%. The incidence and severity of these lesions increased with age but no sex differences were seen. It was difficult to relate differences in biochemical features of the two strains with pathological findings obtained in the DBA/2 mice. The numbers of cells secreting adrenocorticotropic hormone in the pituitary glands were significantly greater in male and female DBA/2 mice than in ICR mice, suggesting a higher secretion of corticosteroids in the former strain.

The activity of alkaline phosphatase in the sera of DBA/2NCrj and CBA/BrA mice with calcified tongue lesions

Spontaneously occurring calcified lesions were found in the tongues of DBA/2NCrj and CBA/BrA mice. In the DBA/2NCrj strain, the frequency of the lesion was 80% (males) and 88% (females). The youngest age of a mouse with this lesion was 18 days after birth, and 3-4 lesions were found in the tongue of 6- to 8-week-old mice. In CBA/BrA mice, 20% of females and 48% of males had the lesions. No significant differences were found in the serum calcium concentrations in high and low lesion-developing strains, but the alkaline phosphatase activities in the high-developing DBA/2NCrj, DBA/LiA, and CBA/BrA strains were higher than in strains with no calcified lesions.

Development of spontaneous tongue calcification and polypoid lesions in DBA/2NCrj mice

Calcified tongue lesions were observed in 4- to 8-week-old DBA/2NCrj mice, the highest frequency being reached at 6 weeks of age. Calcification was initially observed in the superficial longitudinal muscles and these lesions were distributed segmentally under the dorsolateral mucous epithelium in the middle portion of the lingual body. After calcification, marked inflammation was observed in the same lesion. Finally, the swollen tissue elevated the covering mucous epithelium and produced polypoid lesions.

Lingual abscesses in suckling and weaned lambs

Lingual abscesses were found in lambs from 2 midwestern flocks. Lesions resulted in reluctance to feed, emaciation, and death. Plant material was demonstrated at the center of abscesses in 1 flock. Veterinarians should examine tongues carefully when investigating lamb mortalities.

Spontaneous calcified tongue lesions in DBA mice

Large numbers of spontaneously occurring polypoid or slightly elevated lesions were observed in the tongue, mainly the dorsum linguae near the margo linguae, of DBA mice. Histologically the lesion consisted of granulation tissue with focal calcification, and involved superficially the tongue muscle. Often the calcareous deposits were encircled by multinuclear giant cells. The frequency of the calcified tongue lesion was high in lines of DBA/2 (DBA/2NCrj, DBA/2NJcl and DBA/2J), and DBA/1 (DBA/1Jcl and DBA/1J); the SM/J, BALB/c, C57BL/6 and C3H/He strains did not have the lesion. Among hybrid mice, CDF1, a hybrid of DBA/2 and BALB/c, a few had the lesions but no BDF1 mice, a hybrid of DBA/2 and C57BL/6, had any. The frequency was high in the hybrids of DBA/1 and SM/J. These results seem to indicate that the occurrence of the tongue calcified lesions was controlled by polygene.

Oral eosinophilic granuloma in Siberian husky dogs

Oral eosinophilic granuloma in 6 young Siberian Husky dogs was characterized by involvement of lateral and ventral surfaces of the tongue. Histologically, the major change was degenerated (necrobiotic) collagen. Although the cause of the disease is unknown, hereditary and immunologic factors are implicated in the pathogenesis.

The clinical disease and patterns of excretion associated with three different strains of feline caliciviruses

Three groups of cats were infected intranasally with three different feline calicivirus strains: A3, 68/40 and M8. Each strain produced a uniformly muld upper respiratory tract disease, with glossal ulceration being the most prominent clinical sign. Virus was most consistently isolated from the oro-pharyngeal region and, in non-euthanised animals, excretion continued long after clinical signs had disappeared. It is suggested that an asymptomatic phase of excretion may be a normal sequel to FCV infections.

Capillaria infections of pigs: description of C. papuensis sp. n. and the pathology of natural infections

Capillaria papuensis sp. nov. is described from specimens collected from the gastro-intestinal systems of 14 pigs from two villages in Papua New Guinea. It differs from C.gastrosuis and C. suis in the number and location of papillae in the vulval region, the sculptured surface of the eggs, a sub-terminal anus in the female and in the length of the spicule and bilateral caudal alae in the male. The species inhabits the epithelium of the tongue, where clusters of eggs move towards the surface with the growth of the epithelium and are subsequently swallowed. The pathological changes in the infected epithelium are minimal. The prepatent period is approximately eight weeks.

Experimentally induced feline calicivirus infection: clinical signs and lesions

Sixty-six specific-pathogen-free cats were allotted to 10 groups and exposed by aerosol to 10 feline calicivirus (FCV) isolates. Viruses of different virulence were identified. The more virulent FCV caused pyrexia, depression, dyspnea, pneumonia, vesicles, or ulcers of the tongue and ulceration of the hard palate and nostrils. The FCV of low virulence caused similar lesions of the tongue, palate, and nostrils but little or no malaise, pyrexia, or pneumonia. Lesions produced by FCV usually were confined to the oral mucosa, tonsils, and lungs. Lesions in the nasal or trachea were associated with 2 of the 10 FCV tested.

Calcinosis circumscripta in the dog with particular reference to lingual lesions

Calcinosis circumscripta of the tongue is described in 6 large, young dogs. The lingual lesions are identical with calcinosis circumscripta as described in the literature and 10 subcutaneous lesions that we examined. It is suggested that the lingual and subcutaneous lesions are part of one disease process and that the former are more frequent than is indicated in the literature. Apocrine glands were not found in association with the lingual lesions or at comparable sites in the tongues of 6 unaffected dogs; it appears that their presence is not a prerequisite for the development of the lesion. Ten calcifying epitheliomas were also examined and evidence is presented which strongly suggests that this lesion be distinct from calcinosis circumscripta.