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Tongue lesions in companion animals.
Tongue lesions are typically not recognized unless acute injure results in bleeding or the inability to eat food normally. Owners need to be aware that toys and other products that should be safe,can and do unfortunately result in tongue and oral injury. Dr. Kressin has managed cases where dogs have had tongue injuries from fans, electric mixing appliances or direct trauma (airplane and automobile accidents, baseball bats, golf clubs or other direct traumatic incidents).
These lesions have included tongue lacerations, macerations, punctures and tumors.
Other than malignant (life threatening) tumors, these lesions are typically not life threatening. The tongue has excellent vascular supply and the majority of injuries heal very well.
Diagnosis of tongue lesions.
Tissue biopsy and histology (pathologist's evaluation of tissue) is very helpful in establishing of a definitive diagnosis for tongue lesions. In many cases caseful observation can identify the cause of tongue lesions. The dental malocclusion and foreign bodies have also been observed.
Treatment for tongue lesions.
Many tongue lesions heal without treatment however; surgical intervention is often helpful to speed the healing process or to remove masses or foreign bodies. Foreign bodies are frequently seen in cats near the base (uderside) of the tongue. In dogs they appear more commonly on the top or sides of the tongue in our experience.
Dr. Kressin has observed tongue tumors in cats, dogs and rabbits. In cats tumors have been seen at the base (underside) of the tongue close to the attachment of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Dr. Kressin's own cat Oreo had a tongue tumor (neural sheath tumor) at the tip of the tongue (shown below). All other tongue tumors in cats we have seen have been squamous cell carcinomas.
In dogs the tumors have typically been in the anterior (front) two thirds and most commonly on the sides or ventral (underside) aspect of the tongue. One case shown below was observed on the top of the tongue left of the midline. Melanoma has been the most common diagnosis in Dr. Kressin's practice.
Rabbit tongue tumors are seen infrequently and in variable location.
Some clinical photos.
 
Cat with central tongue ulceration. Closer view of tongue ulceration.
Cat with multiple tongue masses at
the side of the tongue.
 
Dog with traumatic tongue lesion. Close up view of the same lesion.
Notice the premolar and molar teeth The lower jaw is on the bottom in this view.
are in contact with this tongue mass.
The lower jaw is shown on top.
Excisional biopsy resulted in a histologic
(pathologist's evaluation) diagnosis of
inflammatory granuloma.
 
This mulitlobulated tongue mass was This is a close up view of the mass.
identified incidentally during intubation
(placement of a breathing tube during
anesthesia). This tumor was left of
the midline.
 
Alternate side view of the tongue Excisional biopsy was procured. The
mass. pathologist diagnosed a plasma cell tumor
and excision is expected to be curative!
Dr. Kressin's cat Oreo. Nerve sheath
tumor was excised at age 20 years.
1.3 cm of the tongue was excised!
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