If you notice your dog is suffering from mouth ulcers, there are some questions to consider to help diagnose and treat the issue. Is your dog clearly in pain? Is he drooling, reluctant to eat, “chattering” his teeth, or lethargic? If he has lost some hair this may be related to gum lesions or dental diseases.
Dental diseases, weeping eyes or facial skin coverings can increase the likelihood of infections and irritations of the face and lips.
Autoimmune disorders
There is a group of diseases called pemphigus that have several forms ( foliaceus, vulgaris, erythematosus, vegetans, and pemphigoid bullous ) and vary in location and severity.
These diseases are the result of an autoimmune process; The body’s immune system attacks the “cement” of the skin layers, creating blisters, sores, crusts and ulcers on the skin and mucocutaneous joints (where the skin meets mucous membranes, wet tissues of the mouth, nose , eyes, vulva / foreskin, and anus ).
Pemphigus vulgaris , while rarer than other forms, is specific to mucocutaneous nodes, such as the lips. The skin can also be affected, usually easily involved.
Ulcers and wounds resulting from these diseases can be secondarily infected with bacteria, creating more problems. Antibiotics will help, but will not cure this condition, which is caused by an “overactive” and destructive immune system.
Diagnosis
A biopsy of the affected tissue is recommended to obtain an accurate diagnosis for pemphigoid and other diseases. For additional information, you may want to request a consultation with a veterinary dermatologist.
Another recommendation would be to make an appointment at a veterinary teaching hospital for a job.
Treatment
Once a diagnosis is made, treatment aims to control the immune response using immunosuppressive drugs. Special shampoos, antibiotics, or antifungals are used for any bacterial or fungal infection. Proper diagnosis is important; if the cause of the lesions is an infection (versus an immune-mediated process), immunosuppressive drugs would be contraindicated.
Please note: this article is for informational purposes only. If your pet shows any signs of illness, please consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
