STOMATITIS 97 



envelop the teeth, but as their margins ulcerate and recede 

 the teeth become more and more exposed. The ulcerative 

 process may spread to the contiguous parts destroying much 

 tissue. Salivation is profuse and the odor of the breath very 

 fetid. Chewing and swallowing are difficult. The tempera- 

 ture is usually slightly increased. In severe cases the afferent 

 lymph glands are enlarged and symptoms of septicemia 

 may be noted. 



Diagnosis.— This condition should be distinguished from 

 scorbutus. The chief differential features are the absence 

 of general symptoms and the free bleeding of the gums, both 

 of which are more marked in scorbutus. The anamnesis will 

 usually differentiate ulcerative stomatitis from poisons; the 

 characteristic general symptoms of the latter are also evident. 



Prognosis.— A favorable termination of the disease is only 

 to be expected in young, healthy animals with mild affection. 

 In such cases, the course is from one to three weeks. In 

 severe cases in weak anemic animals the prognosis is unfavor- 

 able. Complete healing is, however, rare; death may occur 

 suddenly from septicemia. 



Treatment.— Medical.— Potassium chlorate seems to be 

 nearly a specific for this condition. It may be administered 

 internally (0.3-0.6) three times daily, and also applied as a 

 mouth wash. As potassium chlorate is toxic, its use should 

 not be prolonged. When there is much fetor, a solution of 

 potassium permanganate (2 per cent.) can be used as a 

 mouth wash and silver nitrate (2 per cent.) applied to the 

 ulcers. In the mercurial stomatitis, a subvariety of the 

 ulcerative, the treatment consists in the removal of the 

 cause and the use of antiseptic mouth washes. 



Surgical.— Examine the teeth carefully and remove all 

 incrustation. Loose teeth should be extracted. 



Gangrenous Stomatitis.— Canker of the Mouth.— Defini- 

 tion.— A disease of the mouth characterized by a rapidly 

 progressing gangrene, starting on the gums or lips and pro- 

 ducing extensive sloughing. 



Etiology.— This disease is usually seen in young animals 

 (puppies, kittens, etc.) which have been kept under very 

 unsanitary conditions; or in older animals convalescent 

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