The dental case in the November issue demonstrated severe stomatitis complicated by erythema multiforme in a dog. As promised,
this case will show generalized ulceration and stomatitis from a slightly different perspective.
Photo 1: Mucopurulent oral discharge is evident in this 5-year-old pug.
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A 5-year-old spayed female pug presented with purulent discharge and halitosis of several days' duration. The patient would
not allow visual examination of the oral cavity, demonstrating violent avoidance of head manipulation. A CBC, chemistry profile
and urinalysis were performed. Mild hyperproteinemia and neutrophilia were present. Under general anesthesia, visualization
of the extent of the oral disease could readily be appreciated. Marked mucopurulent oral discharge was present (Photo 1). Severe malodor, oral ulceration and erythema were also present (Photo 2). The lateral surface of the tongue and any point of tissue contact with the tooth surface were similarly affected (Photo 3).
Photo 2: Oral ulceration and stomatitis are evident in regions where tissue contacts the tooth surface.
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So what appears to be different in this presentation versus the stomatitis case presented in November? Note the focal distribution
of the lesions in this case compared to the generalized involvement of the entire oral mucosa. Pain is severe, and it's evidenced
by the violent avoidance behavior compared to the mild response to manipulation in the previous case. The purulent discharge
is also more severe. Based on the lesion distribution, this case represents a recognized clinical entity, classified as chronic
ulcerative paradental stomatitis. It's the most likely rule-out, though other entities should be considered. This condition
is characterized by tissue ulceration and stomatitis on the oral mucosa that contacts the teeth. Due to the severity of the
disease and the pain involved, aggressive management is paramount. Biopsies should be done to rule out other causes of stomatitis
and oral ulceration.
Photo 3: The lateral margins of the tongue are affected where contact with the mandibular teeth occurs.
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What would you discuss with the owner at this point? What is the prognosis and what management options exist? Pet owners will
want to know the cause of this dental condition.
Individual patient intolerance to plaque is evidenced by the intense inflammatory reaction to any tissue coming in contact
with the plaque-retaining tooth. The organisms within the plaque biofilm are not the target of therapy, however. Although
tissue destruction is modified somewhat by systemic antibiotics, they are not effective long term because they do not penetrate
the biofilm. The biofilm itself and the host's response to it are the targets of therapy in these cases.
Pet owners must realize that this condition is extremely management intensive, and it requires lifelong dedication to a very
strict regimen if a non-surgical approach is chosen. Options for conservative management are similar to those discussed in
November. (Go to
http://dvm360.com/dentistry.) Unfortunately, the prognosis for effective long-term management is poor. This is due to a combination of the intense host-immune
response in these patients and a lack of compliance with aggressive home care and in-hospital prophylaxis requirements.
An initial dental cleaning followed by aggressive home care including daily brushing, chlorhexidine gel, anti-plaque water
additives, dental chews and diets are required to mechanically and chemically alter the biofilm. Opiates should be used initially
for analgesia. Unfortunately, most patients require immunosuppression initially, possibly long term, to provide adequate relief
from pain to allow oral manipulation. Prednisone alone or in combination with azathioprine is required. Systemic cyclosporine
has been used with some success. Prophylactic cleanings in the hospital are required every three to six months — and in some
cases more frequently.
Photo 4: The maxillary mucosa demonstrates the difference between the first and second extraction sequence. Note the partial
resolution of the patient's right maxillary arcade (right side of image).
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In this particular patient, in-hospital prophylactic dental cleanings, immunosuppressive prednisone and home care were ineffective
at providing an adequate response. Six weeks following discharge, the patient returned with similar severity. The owner could
not provide home care after lack of patient response following tapering doses of prednisone.
Photo 5: Complete resolution is evident in this image taken six weeks following the second extraction sequence.
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Initial discussions with pet owners should include the recommendation for a surgical approach. Extraction of teeth adjacent
to CUPS lesions often is the ultimate therapy for these patients and, in our experience, curative. Involvement of tissue adjacent
to all teeth in this patient necessitated full-mouth extractions. Due to an uncontrollable hypothermia, two procedures were
necessary to complete the extractions in this patient. An immediate postoperative image shows the early response from the
previous extractions performed 10 days prior (Photo 4). Local nerve blocks, analgesic CRI and postoperative opiates, NSAIDS and gabapentin provided excellent analgesia. Keep in
mind, aggressive pain management is paramount.
Photo 6: A single lesion is present in the alveolar mucosa adjacent to the maxillary canine tooth. The right side had an identical
lesion.
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An image taken six weeks postoperatively shows a complete response to the extractions (Photo 5). Not all cases require complete extractions, however. Another patient suffered from CUPS lesions adjacent to the maxillary
canines. Extraction of those two teeth resulted in complete resolution (Photo 6).
Although this particular case was strongly suggestive, differential diagnoses in patients with CUPS should include other causes
of oral ulceration: immune-mediated disease, infectious disease, uremia and neoplasia. Aggressive medical or surgical management
combined with analgesic therapy is the only hope for patients with this disease. A wait-and-see approach to treatment is not
an option.
Brett Beckman, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, Dipl. AAPM
Dr. Beckman is past president of the American Veterinary Dental Society and owns and operates a companion-animal and referral
dentistry and oral surgery practice in Punta Gorda, Fla. He sees referrals at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Orlando
and at Georgia Veterinary Specialists in Atlanta; lectures internationally; and operates the Veterinary Dental Education Center
in Punta Gorda.
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