22 Bird Tongue (Microglossia)

DEFINITION/OVERVIEW



  • Microglossia: small tongue, also known as bird tongue

    • Hereditary defect resulting in a small, narrow, curled tongue that is ineffective for nursing

c22uf003ETIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY



  • Dog

    • Lethal, glossopharyngeal defect
    • Simple, recessive autosomal defect

c22uf004SIGNALMENT/HISTORY



  • Abnormal-shaped tongue in newborn
  • Unthrifty, not nursing well, “fading puppy”

c22uf005CLINICAL FEATURES


Dogs



  • Narrow, pointed tongue (Fig. 22-1)
  • Curls upward and inward
  • Grossly normal deep base muscular layers
  • Dysphagia: no swallow reflex when milk is placed on caudal tongue
  • No microscopic evidence of acquired structural lesion in nervous or muscular systems

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May 22, 2017 | Posted by in GENERAL | Comments Off on 22 Bird Tongue (Microglossia)

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