Oral Cytological Findings in Mobility Service Dogs

We observed mucous membranes of the gingiva, hard palate, tongue, and cheek to assess cytological findings in the oral cavities of 8 mobility service dogs (4 males and 4 females) aged 1.2-2 years old during the training period. Cells from each surface were collected using Cytobrush Plus (Cooper Surgical Inc., CT, USA). The cells were smeared onto glass slides and stained employing Papanicolaou's staining method. As a result, angular squamous epithelial cells with round nuclear exfoliated from the superficial and intermediate layers of the oral mucous membranes were noted. Keratinized squamous epithelial cells whose cytoplasm was stained with eosin and orange G were predominant in all the mucous membranes examined involving the gingiva, hard palate, tongue, and cheek. Therefore, non-keratinized squamous epithelial cells whose cytoplasm was stained light green were observed inferiorly in the mucous membranes of the gingiva, hard palate, tongue, and cheek. Neutrophils and bacterial colonies were observed in various ratios at each membrane site.