INJURIES TO THE SOFT PALATE AND FAUCES.
The region of the fauces is sometimes injured by sharp pointed bodies swallowed in the food, by the giving of boluses on the end of a pointed stick, or by the careless use of a probang or of a file upon the posterior molars. An overgrown last molar will sometimes lacerate the velum. In other cases the inflammation of sore throat is especially concentrated on this part, giving rise to cough, difficulty of swallowing, redness, infiltration and swelling of the parts, and even abscess. In the dog it is often associated with tonsilitis.
Treatment. A laxative is usually desirable to be followed by salammoniac or chlorate of potash. In case of actual traumatic lesions, the astringent and antiseptic lotions advised for tonsilitis will be in order, and if abscess is recognized it should be opened promptly.