New study suggests dental examination could identify cause of skin lesions near eyes.

A new study undertaken by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has identified a possible link between skin lesions and dental disease in dogs.

The study investigated three separate cases that were referred to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ hospital for small animals. The cases involved three West Highland white terriers that presented with a sore or growth on the skin near the eye. After investigation, dental problems were found to be the underlying cause of skin lesions.

In each case, the affected teeth were extracted, which resolved the issue without any long-term problems.

The researchers suggest that patients that present with skin sores or swellings near the eyes, known as periorbital odontogenic cutaneous fistulae, should undergo a thorough dental examination and X-ray or CT scan to diagnose/exclude dental disease as the cause.

They say that where dental disease is found, extraction or root canal treatment is likely to lead to excellent outcomes. 

The three cases that were referred to Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ hospital for small animals, came from different veterinary practices. The West Highland white terriers, aged eight, nine and 11, were subsequently treated by surgery specialists at the animal hospital.

All three dogs had been referred after their facial swellings had failed to respond to antibiotic treatment. In the eight-year-old dog, a CT scan revealed bone loss and a tooth root abscess, that was resolved with the extraction of two teeth.

The nine-year-old dog had undergone surgery of its would under anaesthetic, which had not resolved the issue. An oral examination and CT scan revealed dental issues that were resolved by extracting one tooth.

After X-ray, the 11-year-old dog was found to have a fractured tooth, which was subsequently extracted.

All three dogs recovered well.

Ian Faux, co-author of the study and lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ hospital for small animals said: "These three cases highlight that dental issues may manifest externally – however, this is not well documented and so these instances may be suspected to be dermatological or cancerous cases. A thorough oral exam and, if needed, an X-ray are vital in such cases and should be sufficient to highlight the presence of any dental problem, potentially saving animals from misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment, saving owners stress, time and money.”

The study, 'Odontogenic periorbital cutaneous fistulae in three West Highland white terriers' has been published in VetRecord CaseReports.