Surgical management of odontoma in cattle

Abstract

Odontoma is a tumor composed of osseous tissue and develops from budding of extra-odontogenic epithelial cells from dental lamina. It may occupy a position anywhere in mandible or maxilla but mostly the alveolar process of lower jaw is involved. It may be associated with unerupted tooth, dentigerous cyst or normal tooth. The odontoma develops by degeneration of epithelial component of enamel that results in accumulation of fluid and encapsulated by fibrous tissue. These tumors have been reported in cattle. In the present case, a 6-year-old female crossbred H.F cattle was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, CVAS, Navania with history of growth at mandibular incisor region with difficulty in prehension. The growth was hard but not painful. Clinical examination revealed tumours growth at mandible as odontoma. Surgical excision was undertaken and tumorous growth was removed from its attachment to mandible under xylazine sedation (1ml I/M) and bilateral mental nerve block with 10 ml of 2% Lignocaine hydrochloride using 18-gauge needle. Oral cavity was irrigated with potassium permanganate solution. Inj. Streptopenicillin 2.5 gm for 5 days and Meloxicam (Melonex) @ 0.2 mg/kg b. wt. for 3 days were administered intramuscularly post-operatively. The animal was given restricted feeding and intravenous fluid therapy using 5 liters of 5% Dextrose normal saline for 4 days post-operatively. Uneventful recovery was observed post-operatively.