VCP 411: Medicine Section

Examination of the oral cavity

EXAMINATION OF ORAL CAVITY

• Free portion of the tongue is grasped by inserting the hand into the inter-dental space and holding the tongue.
• Tongue is grasped in the same manner as above and drawn out one side of the mouth through the angle of jaw, so that part of attached protion is pulled out between the tables of opposing molar teeth.
• Pull out the cheek on the opposite side outward with the finger in the oral commissure to inspect the other half of the tongue. By using the mouth gag, the pharynx can be examined in the adult cattle.

Horse:

• First three methods are similar to cattle.
• By using rhinolaryngeoscope, pharynx, larynx and trachea can be visualized and examined.

Dog and Cat:

• Mouth can be examined by grasping the upper jaw with one hand and lower jaw with other hand. Animal lips are being pushed inwards over the crowns of the molar teeth on both sides by the thumb and middle fingers, while the forefingers rest against the canine teeth.
• By means of tape placed around both the jaws just behind the canine teeth one assistant hold the teeth by pulling the mouth and the other will hold both the forelegs. If the animal is too ferocious, the narcotics and tranquilizers may be used.
• In quiet cat mouth can be opened by placing the dorsal surface of little finger and the one hand against the nape on the neck then grasping the upper jaw between the thumb and forefinger, with eyes covered by palm of the hand and bending the animal’s head upwards using the little finger as a pivot. The lower jaw is then depressed by applying a downward pressure with finger of the free hand.