Wooden tongue necrotic syndrome poses a major health and veterinary challenge in the livestock sector, arising from bacterial infiltration into deep tongue muscle tissues via micro-scratches from rough forage, leading to chronic inflammatory reactions resulting in tissue hardening and loss of natural flexibility. Infected animals exhibit prominent clinical signs including severe difficulty chewing, rapid weight loss and emaciation, continuous excessive drooling due to impaired tongue movement, and noticeable swelling in the throat impairing swallowing and breathing. In advanced, untreated cases, infection causes acute immune deficiency and toxin absorption. Research from veterinary research institutes and WOAH emphasizes that early diagnosis and prevention are cornerstone controls. Approved treatment plans involve administering specific antibiotics and systemic anti-inflammatories, alongside modifying the diet to provide soft, ground feed and nutrient-rich fluids to support immunity.
Reports of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding oral diseases and soft tissue inflammations in livestock. Laboratory research and applied studies in the Journal of Veterinary Animal Science. Specialized scientific references in livestock diseases and herd health. General information from the Syrian Agricultural Guide and Livestock in Syria - Specialized Evidence Center.
