Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with swollen tongue from strangling foreign body and heat scan
By Angulo, Hernan Lizardo et al.·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2021·University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thermographic imaging in a dog with macroglossia from an encircling, strangulating lingual linear foreign body.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog developed severe swelling of the tongue about 16 hours after chewing on a deer carcass. Despite initial tests not showing any issues, the vet provided supportive care while searching for the cause. Eventually, they discovered a piece of organic material strangling the base of the tongue and removed it. After the foreign body was taken out, the dog's condition improved with continued supportive care. This case highlights how thermographic imaging can help identify blood flow issues in pets.
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Abstract
A dog presented 16 hours after an acute onset of severe generalized lingual swelling from an unknown cause. The dog had recently chewed a deer carcass. Initial physical examination and diagnostic testing did not reveal an underlying cause, and supportive care was provided. After 16 hours of hospitalization strangulating organic foreign material was found at the base of the tongue and removed. Macroglossia and secondary superficial lingual necrosis were successfully managed with supportive care while the patient was hospitalized. Thermographic imaging was used and indicated lingual hypothermia and subsequent normothermia, before and after removal of the linear foreign body respectively. Histopathologic analysis revealed the foreign body consisted of degenerate and autolyzed collagenous connective tissue, likely representing tissues such as tendon, fascia or a large thick-walled blood vessel which was suspected to have been consumed from the deer carcass. Thermographic imaging was employed and demonstrated to be consistent with hypoperfusion (hypothermia) of the affected tissue. Thermographic imaging adds value as an additional diagnostic tool for conditions with compromised blood flow.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34273587/