44 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



Ulcerous InfLammation of the Mouth. 



{Stomacace.) 



Etiology. This is a serious inflammation of the mouth, and 

 is generally seen in old, overfed or debilitated dogs and associated 

 with the presence of decayed teeth. It is seen, however, in a small 

 proportion of cases where the teeth are perfectly sound and where 

 the animal seems to be in fairly good health. 



Clinical Symptoms. At first the gums are swollen and red 

 in the neighborhood of certain teeth — generally the incisors and 

 later on the molars. The gams are very red and painful to the 

 touch, and bleed readily. After a iew days the inflamed portion 

 becomes green and dark purple on the dividing line with the 

 other tissues. The hemorrhage from the parts is constant and 

 deep abscesses form, involving the alveolar process. This gan- 

 grenous inflammation extends, and the teeth become very loose 

 and fall out. In extreme cases the jaw becomes affected, and 

 necrosis sets in and large portions of the jaw exfoliate. This 

 condition may also involve the neighboring tissues ; but, as a 

 rule, the tongue is very rarely affected to any great extent. The 

 odor of the mouth is very offensive ; there is a bad-smelling, 

 sticky mucus running from the corners of the mouth. Gen- 

 erally the appetite is fairly good, although it is very difficult 

 for the animal to masticate or swallow ; and bolting the food 

 whole while affected with this disease has a tendency to upset 

 the stomach. 



A favorable termination of this disease is only to be expected 

 in young, strong, healthy dogs, provided it has not become too far 

 advanced. With proper treatment the ulcers clean up gradually, 

 and after two weeks they are all healed up; but sometimes the 

 fever keeps on increasing and the disease becomes septic in char- 

 acter from absorption of dead tissues, causing blood-poisoning 

 and collapse, followed by death. The author has noticed a 

 gangrenous tubular pneumonia from the aspiration of the puru- 

 lent matter. 



Therapeutics. The animal must be fed liberally, but with 

 easily digested food and as soft as possible. Remove all the dis- 

 eased teeth as soon as you can; wash the mouth frequently with 

 deodorizing mouth-washes, such as permanganate of potassium, 1 



