Ulcerative glossitis and gingivitis associated with foxtail grass awn irritation in two horses

Abstract

Two horses were presented for diagnosis of lethargy, salivation, halitosis, dysphagia, bleeding ulcerative glossitis, gingivitis, and focal bleeding ulceration along the mucocutaneous junction of the labial commissures. In both instances, ulceration was attributed to foxtail awns (Setaria geniculata) based on microscopic examination of representative tissue biopsies and identification of numerous foxtail seed heads in representative samples of the available hay. The horses recovered and the lesions resolved completely following removal of the affected source of hay.

Ulcerative stomatitis associated with ingestion of broomsedge hay in a horse

“…To the authors’ knowledge, there are no published cases of ulceration following ingestion of broomsedge; however, foxtail has been noted to cause similar lesions to that seen in this case, with widespread ulceration of the lips, tongue, oral cavity and nasopharynx in horses. Horses typically present with decreased appetite, bleeding ulcers along the margins of the lips, oedema and proliferative periodontal gingivitis, and ulceration of the tongue 8. Additionally, horses have been found to have haemorrhagic salivation, a foul odour of the mouth, and in some cases coughing 7.…”

“…In most cases, ulcerative lesions resolve completely following removal of the offending forage 9. It has been noted by Johnson and others8 that the feeding of poor-quality forage may be a direct result of recent droughts and the reduced availability of better quality forage for horses, thus leading to an increase in such cases.…”

Focal Gingival Hyperplasia in a Donkey (Equus Asinus)

“…The oral cavity was flushed with tap water several times a day, according to the owner's availability. 7,8 Gingival hyperplasia is a common histological feature in equids caused by close contact in the oral tissue from an abrasive diet, even suggesting that a mild degree of hyperplasia at the crest of the free gingiva is a normal physiological finding. 4).…”

“…6 The periodontium functions to protect the tooth and underlying structures against continuous external insults and stimuli. 7,8 Gingival hyperplasia is a common histological feature in equids caused by close contact in the oral tissue from an abrasive diet, even suggesting that a mild degree of hyperplasia at the crest of the free gingiva is a normal physiological finding. 9 However, on a macroscopic level, the proliferation of the gingival tissue is considered pathological and associated with inflammatory, neoplastic, and tumor-like masses.…”