Jan Bellows, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DABVP, provides a comprehensive look at oral ulcers and a diagnostic flow chart to help with diagnosis. As National Pet Dental Health Month helps bring clients to veterinary hospitals, oral abnormalities may be discovered during exams.
Oral ulcers have several causes ranging from physical trauma to malignancy and are characterized by a loss of tissue that affects both the epithelium and underlying connective tissue, the submucosa, and even muscle or periosteum.
Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2019. Link.
Diagnosis of an ulcer on oral examination should prompt the clinician to identify the specific etiology, immediately render therapy to eliminate the cause, and work with the owner to prevent recurrence.