88 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



alveolar periostitis. It usually affects a number of teeth, old dogs 

 sometimes losing almost the entire set. The calcic deposit leads to 

 ulceration of the peridental membrane and exposure of the neck of 

 the tooth. The membrane is gradually detached from the root of 

 the tooth, the border of the alveolar wall is absorbed, and the 

 inflammatory process finally leads to separation of the tooth from its 

 socket. This condition is often accompanied with ulcerative stoma- 

 titis. Galippe regards it as an infectious disease. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The gum recedes, becomes livid and 

 swollen, and bleeds easily to the touch. There is a purulent dis- 

 charge from the alveoli (Pyorrhea alveolaris) accompanied by a 

 foul, penetrating odor. Saliva flows freely, and the animal shows 

 no disposition to partake ®f food. 



Treatment. Extraction of all affected teeth is indicatea with 

 ample daily disinfection of the parts, preferably with solution of 

 permanganate of potash (2:100). 



ALVEOLAR ABSCESS AND MAXILLARY FISTULA. 



Reference has been made to the suppurative process (Pyorrhea 

 alveolaris) occurring in connection with inflammation of the peri- 

 dental membrane owing to calcic incrustations, and which is mani- 

 fested by purulent discharge at the edge of the alveolar cavity. Sup- 

 puration of the alveolar tissues may also have its inception on the 

 side of the root of a tooth as the result of injury, complicated 

 wounds, or fractures, or it may originate in the apical space inde- 

 pendent of any disease of the external parts, the tooth remaining 

 perfectly sound. A sudden jar sustained by the tooth in crunching 

 bones and animal membranes may result in injury to the nerve at the 

 apical space, to be followed by suppuration and subsequent death 

 of the pulp. The fourth premolar, which is the sectorial or 

 masticatory organ in the dog, is the tooth usually affected. 



The disease is characterized by burrowing of pus, which may 

 either follow the peridental membrane down the side of the root 

 and find discharge at the margin of the gum or it may set up an 

 inflammation by fistulous tract either through the gums into the 

 mouth or externally on the face to form a maxillary fistula. The 

 last named conditioii usually takes place in the upper jaw near 

 the lower eyelid, the exact position varying according to the con- 

 formation of the head. According to Reul, the condition may be 



