DEFENSE & BARRIERS
A dog eats spoiled food but does NOT develop infection.
What is the MOST important protective mechanism preventing disease?
Saliva flushing + antimicrobial activity (lysozyme/IgA)
A horse presents with quidding and weight loss. Oral exam reveals sharp enamel points.
What type of dentition predisposes to this?
Hypsodont dentition
A 2-year-old horse is being aged.
What stage is this?
Deciduous dentition
What is a cystic filled distension of the duct of the sublingual or submaxillary gland that occurs at the floor of the mouth alongside the tongue. lined by epithelium
ranula- frog belly
A dog presents with diffuse inflammation of the oral mucosa, drooling, and oral discomfort.
What is the term for this condition?
Stomatitis
A dog develops oral infection after severe dehydration.
What defense mechanism was most compromised?
Saliva production (loss of flushing + antimicrobial protection)
A dog presents with a fractured tooth and loss of occlusal surface.
Why will this NOT self-correct over time?
Brachydont teeth do not continuously grow
What is the time stamps of eruption of permanent teeth
I1- 2.5 years
I2- 3.5 years
I3-4.5 years
Give an example of a minor salvory gland
● Lingual glands located in the submucosa between the intrinsic muscles of the tongue. ● Gustatory glands are associated with the vallate and foliate papillae and are entirely serous. ● Labial, palatine, buccal and pharyngeal glands also contribute mucous and serous secretory products to the saliva. ● Zygomatic salivary gland is only present in carnivores. ● Molar salivary gland
A foal treated with antibiotics develops white plaques along the oral mucosa that can be scraped off.
What is the diagnosis?
Thrush
A patient on long-term antibiotics develops oral white plaques.
What defense mechanism failed?
Normal microbiota suppression → opportunistic overgrowth (Candida)
Ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, and goats) lack upper incisors and instead have a dental pad, which is important because it allows them to grasp and tear forage against their lower incisors during grazing.
A horse presents for a pre-purchase exam. Oral exam shows:
All permanent incisors present
Deep cups present on all incisors (upper + lower)
Teeth are broad and oval
Incisors meet at a mostly vertical angle
whats the age?
~5 years
all cups present
list the different secretory of each gland
Parotid
Mandibular
Sublingual
Parotid gland → Serous only
Mandibular gland → Mixed (serous + mucous)
Sublingual gland → Mostly mucous (some mixed depending on species)
A diabetic dog develops oral fungal infection without trauma.
What predisposed this condition?
High glucose
A dog with severe mucosal ulcerations develops systemic infection.
What allowed pathogen entry?
Breakdown of epithelial barrier → access to submucosa/vasculature
A ruminant presents with a smooth tongue surface and difficulty prehending and manipulating feed. A dog with the same finding would still be able to eat normally.
Which species-specific structure is missing in this patient?
Lenticular papillae
A horse presents with:
All permanent incisors
A vertical dark line (groove) just starting at the gumline of the upper corner incisor (I3)
Mild wear, still functional grinding
whats the age?
~10 years
groove present at gumline
An unvaccinated dog presents with neurologic signs and hypersalivation. At necropsy, viral antigen is found in the salivary glands.
Which nerves allowed the virus to reach the glands?
CN VII, IX
A 4-year-old cat presents with hypersalivation, oral pain, and reluctance to eat. Oral exam reveals ulcerative lesions on the buccal mucosa directly opposite the upper cheek teeth. The lesions are bilateral and associated with dental contact points.
What are these lesions called?
Kissing ulcers
A 5-year-old dog presents with severe oral ulcerations after ingesting a caustic substance. Within days, the dog develops systemic infection and lymph node enlargement.
Under normal conditions, oral infections are uncommon despite constant bacterial exposure.
What specific change in this patient allowed rapid systemic spread?
Epithelial breakdown
A cat is unable to effectively strip meat from bone, while a dog can still chew normally. Oral exam shows loss of specialized tongue structures in the cat.
Which structure is uniquely important in cats for this function?
Filiform papillae
Explain for eruption to 20+ years changes in horse teeth (key factors)
I1- 2.5 years. I2- 3.5 years. I3-4.5 years
5 year- all cups seen
6 years- stars visible
7 years- seven year hook
8- dental star and enamel spots. all cups gone
9-stars clear, round oval profile
10- galvaynes groove
11- galvaynes groove
15- galvaynes groove towards middle. enamel spots gone
20-galvaynes groove all the way to bottom
A dog presents with a firm swelling just ventral to the ear and caudal to the mandible. The swelling is painful, and salivation is reduced.
Which salivary gland is most likely inflamed?
Parotid gland
A dog presents with acute onset fever and neurologic signs 3 days after chewing on a contaminated bone. Oral exam shows a small, healed mucosal laceration. No significant oral inflammation is present.
What was the most likely route of pathogen entry leading to systemic disease?
Mucosal penetration