Synonyms

Wooden language

Name of the disease in English

Tongue actinobacillosis – Wooden tongue

The disease in brief

Actinobacillus ligneresi is the agent of this common disease; this bacterium is part of the normal oral flora, and will cause an infection through oral trauma, particularly with vulnerating fodder. There are different forms, for example cutaneous, of actinobacillosis.

Clinic & diagnosis

When a bovine is drooling, inspection of the mouth shows a hard tongue (with masses = granulomas), or one that is not very mobile, or one with lesions: red nodules on the surface of the tongue, deep ulcers (>1.5 cm) under (or on) the tongue (or on the cheeks); these lesions of the tongue are accompanied by hypertrophy of the submaxillary, parotid and/or retropharyngeal lymph nodes, but the temperature remains normal. 

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

– Oral candidiasis N289                                                                                                                                                                             

– Stomatitis by foreign body or burn by caustic or stinging DG16

 – Erucism = Poisoning by the oak (or pine) processionary caterpillar N280

– Actinomycosis DG14

– Obstruction of the esophagus DG11

-Stomatitis due to foreign body or burn by caustic or other DG16

-Vesicular stomatitis N274

Confirm a suspicion?

Rarely performed, a pus sample can allow characteristic bacterial lesions (granulomas) to be observed in the laboratory.

Prognosis and treatment

Treatment must be early; it is typically done by combining:                                                                                                       

-An anti-infective which can be a sulfonamide, a penicillin, a tetracycline                                                                                        

- An iodine intake either intravenously (sodium iodide, which can be administered twice at 2-week intervals) or orally (potassium iodide, 7-10g/day for 7 to 10 days). Signs of iodism (watering eyes, skin releasing scales, cough, etc.) may appear. The prognosis is favorable for all cases treated early.

Prevention

-Isolate the sick                                                                                                                                                                         

-Disinfect infected areas (troughs, etc.)                                                                                                                                         

-Avoid contact with food that is irritating to the mouth.

References

Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 339

Memo written by G Argenté, DVM, Y. Millemann, Professor at ENV d'Alfort-2019