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Focal gingival hyperplasia in a horse
L H Handy1, L C Peyton, M B Calderwood-Mays
1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0116.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|April 15, 1993
Summary
Gingival hyperplasia in a horse caused a large oral mass, impacting eating. Surgical resection was successful, with the condition possibly linked to dental issues and tooth loss.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Dentistry
- Oral Pathology
Background:
- Gingival hyperplasia, an overgrowth of gum tissue, can affect horses.
- Dental abnormalities and tooth loss can predispose horses to oral pathologies.
Observation:
- A 22-year-old Quarter Horse gelding presented with difficulty eating hay.
- A large (13 x 8 x 4.5 cm) intraoral soft tissue mass was found on the lingual aspect of the caudal left mandible.
- The mass obscured the lower molars, and opposing maxillary molars showed overgrowth and sharp edges. Radiography revealed a missing left third molar with bony changes.
Findings:
- Histologic examination confirmed gingival hyperplasia.
- Surgical resection of the entire mass was performed under general anesthesia.
- The lesion's development was speculated to be secondary to chronic irritation from opposing teeth and food impaction following the loss of the lower third molar.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential link between dental abnormalities, tooth loss, and the development of significant oral masses in horses.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for diagnosing and managing oral conditions in equine patients.
- The findings underscore the importance of regular dental examinations in horses, particularly those with continuously advancing molars.