In general, tongue, lip and mouth wounds in dogs tend to heal well due to the environment of the oral cavity. The nature of the oral mucosa and the ample blood supply in the mouth aid in a speedy recovery.
Healing can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The site will appear like a diamond and can look like a hole in the beginning. With time, it will fill in white/yellow which is NOT pus. It is normal for bleeding to occur, especially when stretching the area.
According to the depth and severity of the cut, healing time can vary from person to person. If the laceration is too deep, it might require stitches. However, if it's a simple crack with no bleeding, it would only take a few days for your tongue to heal itself.
Tongues do not grow back. They do heal quickly from damage though.
If the wound is in the tongue, then let the blood flow. Take your dog to the veterinarian if the blood continues to flow even after 15 minutes. A slash on the tongue, or any cut in the mouth, will frequently bleed. This is not a serious condition.
Bleeding should stop within 10 minutes of applying continuous pressure.
Surgical resections alone create volumetric muscle loss whereby muscle tissue cannot self-regenerate within the tongue. In these cases, the tongue is reconstructed typically in the form of autologous skin flaps.
Mouth Tissue Is Different Than Skin Tissue
Also, the mucous membrane in your tongue and cheeks is a bit simpler than typical skin cells. This means that the repair process is easier for your body and doesn't take as much time as healing other types of wounds.
Complications of a frenotomy are rare — but could include bleeding or infection, or damage to the tongue or salivary glands. It's also possible to have scarring or for the frenulum to reattach to the base of the tongue.
The procedure does not seem to hurt babies. This is because there are very few nerve endings in the area around the bottom of the mouth. Some babies sleep through the procedure, while others may cry a bit.
Once the baby's tongue-tie has been released (frenulotomy), there may be a diamond-shaped wound under the tongue. You will probably only notice this if the baby is lifting its tongue whilst crying. The wound will look pink and healthy, like the floor of the mouth. Although It may look a little redder than usual.
It's vital that you don't let your dog lick their wounds, as it could cause further damage, cause an infection or they may even pull out sutures or reopen incisions. This is the reason that most dogs are given a plastic collar to wear after surgery.
So, consider this your warning: don't let dogs or cats lick any open wounds! This includes healing scratches, punctures or anywhere where the skin has been broken. Even if you have a strong immune system, if a pet licks an open wound, wash it with soap and water right away, just to be safe.
Chlorhexidine is a topical antiseptic solution applied to a dog's skin. It works against bacterial and fungal growth that can cause skin infections in dogs. Chlorhexidine gluconate is one of the most common forms. Chlorhexidine typically appears as a dark-blue colored solution.
A cut or tear to the tongue can bleed a lot. Small injuries may often heal on their own. If the injury is long or deep, it may need stitches that dissolve over time. If a piece of your tongue was cut off or bitten off, it may have been reattached.
Saltwater Rinse: Although salt may aggravate the pain, a saltwater rinse can help speed up the healing process by drying out the sores. Combine a ½ cup of warm water with a teaspoon of salt. Let salt dissolve completely. Swish around inside your mouth for up to 30 seconds, then spit out.
Nerves typically take the longest, healing after 3-4 months. Cartilage takes about 12 weeks to heal. Ligaments take about 10-12 weeks to heal. Bones take about 6-8 weeks to heal on average.
So more good news for you: It's totally reversible. In fact, if the exposed flesh isn't closed properly after the split (either with sutures or cauterization), your tongue will just go ahead and remerge on its own [source: Loftus].
If your tongue is bleeding excessively, please do not swallow too much blood. This can cause nausea. A gentle rinse with lukewarm salt water can clear away any blood or debris that remains in your mouth so as to give you a better look at the wound. It may also soothe any damaged tissue and pain.
If your tongue is bleeding profusely, you should strongly consider going to the emergency room or other urgent care facility.
To control the bleeding, firmly press a clean cloth to the affected area for five minutes or longer. Alternatively, wrap the cloth around crushed ice before pressing it to the wound, which might help control the swelling and pain.