Domestic Pets

Injury Guide

MOUTH AREA

Mouth injuries in cats and dogs are one of the most frequent types of case requiring first aid

CAUSES

SERIOUS INJURIES: Caused by accidents and especially in cats, falls from heights

CHEMICAL BURNS: As a result of ingestion, or simply licking at poisonous products, direct contact of them with the skin, or after snake,spider and scorpion bites

ELECTRICAL BURNS

OTHER COMMON CAUSES: Fights with other animals or severe blows

ASSESSMENT

EXAMINATION OF THE LIPS: First of all examine the lips, to see if there are any bruises or deep wounds - which tend to bleed profusely

EXAMINATION OF THE TEETH: Gently lift the lips and check the upper and lower rows of teeth

Broken teeth are conspicuous and often occur, especially with damage to the canines

Examine also whether teeth are positioned normally, since they may be displaced even if they are not actually broken

EXAMINATION OF THE JAW: Slowly and carefully open the mouth and check that this can be done without provoking pain, if the animal shows signs of discomfort, the jaw bone or its joints may be damaged

EXAMINATION OF THE HARD PALATE - THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH: Which in case of serious injury, especially in cats, may have split in the middle

EXAMINATION OF THE TONGUE: Which may be lacerated

TREATMENT

CLEANSING: Disinfect lip wounds with a non-alcoholic antiseptic and stop any bleeding by pressing a pad of gauze on to the wound site for some minutes

FRACTURES & DISLOCATIONS: Of the teeth and of the jaw - and injuries to the lips and tongue that will clearly require stitching, must receive prompt attention from the vet

FOREIGN BODIES

Dogs & cats often swallow foreign bodies. Puppies in particular, will instinctively lick at and swallow objects indiscriminately, either from greed or playfulness.The foreign body may pass through the whole digestive tract and be eliminated with the faeces, or may lodge at some point between the mouth and anus

CAUSES

SIZEABLE FOREIGN BODIES: Stones, rubber balls, screws, fruit stones and bottle tops are the type of object that may cause obstructions

SHARP OR CUTTING FOREIGN BODIES: Nails, needles, pins, fish hooks, wood splinters, fragments of bone, glass and hard plastic can penetrate the mucous membrane lining of the digestive system and may even completely perforate its walls

SPONGES, PIECES OF CLOTH, LENGTHS OFSTRING, COTTON THREAD OR FISHING LINE WITH OR WITHOUT NEEDLE OR HOOK: These can all obstruct the intestines

ASSESSMENT

The signs of a foreign body in the digestive canal will vary according to its location.

OBJECT TRAPPED IN MOUTH: If the foreign body is in the MOUTH, the animal is restless, rubs its mouth with its paws or rubs its mouth on the ground, swallowing nervously and dribbling saliva

Raise the lips and check the teeth, to see whether pieces of wood, bone or some other material are stuck there

Next check the tongue. Gently open the mouth and move the tongue sideways out of the mouth with your fingers to see whether anything has become wound round it, such as bits of string, wire, rubber bands etc - or if anything has stuck onto it

With the help of a torch, examine the inner parts of the mouth

PHARYNX & OESOPHAGUS: If a fairly large body gets stuck in the Pharynx, it can seriously impede breathing

If the foreign body stops in the Oesophagus and penetrates the wall or obstructs the passage of food - it is very troublesome and hurts - Provoking constant swallowing and pain with much slobbering of saliva that may contain traces of blood if the wall is damaged. If the animal swallows water or food, it usually regurgitates them

Inspect the back of the mouth with a torch having opened it wide so you can see as far as possible. It is usually possible to see foreign bodies in the Pharynx, though often a vet is needed to identify and remove them. This will certainly be the case if they are further down in the Oesophagus

STOMACH: The main sign of a foreign body stuck in the stomach, is vomiting - though it may only be froth that is returned

Attempts of vomiting may recur continually, at frequencies that depend on the type of foreign body and the irritation it causes

Pointed and cutting objects such as slivers of glass are particularly dangerous - whereas smooth foreign bodies may produce few if any signs initially

Check whether the vomited material contains blood

SMALL INTESTINE: Obstruction by a foreign body may provoke frequent attempts at vomiting, often accompanied initially by diarrhea. The abdominal wall can be tense, because of abdominal pain, often there is a fever as well

COLON & RECTUM: The colon & rectum in most cases are obstructed by fragments of bone or wood and sometimes also by pieces of cloth or plastic

These then mix with the faeces and form large hard masses

Signs are frequent unsuccessful attempts at defecation, often painful, with the possible passage of mucus, at times tinged or striped with blood

TREATMENT

EXTRACTING FOREIGN OBJECT: If the foreign body is in the mouth, try to extract it with your fingers or with a pair of pliers - if this is not too difficult or risky

In all other cases of the signs described above when a foreign body has been swallowed - or if you suspect the presence of one, you should promptly consult a vet

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