It can be a very painful and frightening experience for your dog if they suffer a broken jaw. In this blog post, our veterinarians in New Hope discuss jaw injuries in dogs and how you can assist your pup.
Causes of a Broken Jaw in Dogs
Mandibular fractures tend to occur because of trauma or as a result of periodontal disease. Common traumatic events include a dog being struck by a car or getting into an altercation with another dog.
Periodontal disease can cause a dog to be more likely to suffer a jaw fracture. The bone loss weakens the mandible, predisposing it to fracture when a dog does something as simple as bumping into furniture, chewing on one of their toys, or biting down on a piece of food.
In the case of vehicular trauma or an altercation with another dog, it is important to have your pet thoroughly evaluated for additional injuries. When the fracture occurs or as soon as it is noticed, it is always best to have your pet seen by your vet or to seek emergency veterinary care. The jaw fracture can be addressed once the dog is stabilized or treated for other injuries.
The Goal of Repairing a Dog's Jaw Fracture
The most important objective in jaw fracture repair surgery is to allow your dog to eat and rest comfortably as soon as possible after the injury. Your pooch may suffer from malocclusion (misalignment) if the upper or lower jaw heals in the wrong alignment. It is very important to avoid injury to the tooth roots and the neurovascular (nerve and blood vessels) bundle within the mandibular or infraorbital canals. The ultimate goal is to repair the fracture and get your dog back on their feet.
How will a vet treat a dog with a broken jaw?
Repairing a jaw fracture with metal plates, screws, and wires is sometimes required to treat a broken jaw, but some fractures can be treated with acrylic splints. Splints are much simpler to place and often do not require a complicated surgical incision. The treatment's main goal is to ensure that the teeth line up correctly.
Once an acrylic splint is in place, your pet must abstain from chewing on toys or hard objects for several weeks. Put away any hard toys that may cause the acrylic splint to dislodge. Feed only softened food until your vet tells you that it’s safe for them to eat hard food again. Once the doctor feels the fracture site is healed, your vet will need to put your dog under anesthesia again and take X-rays. If the fracture has healed properly, the splint will be removed.
Depending on the method used to repair the fracture, one last anesthetized procedure may need to be scheduled to remove the wire or splint in the mouth.
Are there complications to treating a dog's broken jaw?
The prognosis for jaw fracture repair typically ranges from good to excellent, with a few exceptions. Maxillary fractures tend to be relatively stable and carry an excellent prognosis. The prognosis for mandibular fractures is more variable and heavily influenced by the cause(s) of the fracture(s). Mandibular fractures resulting from minor trauma, such as a mild fall, tend to have an excellent prognosis.
Older, small-breed dogs with severe periodontal disease that suffer fractures during surgical extractions tend to have less-than-ideal healing characteristics. The prognosis may be poor, guarded, or fair.
The prognosis also depends on the severity of the injury. If the neurovascular blood supply is damaged, the prognosis will be worse. The cause of the trauma, impact force, duration of the injury, and bacterial contamination all play a role in the outcome of your dog's treatment.
How to take care of a dog after jaw surgery?
After repairing the fracture, your vet will provide detailed instructions about caring for your dog at home. Patients must be confined and kept on a leash to minimize running, playing, or jumping around during healing. Regardless of the repair technique used, we often recommend that pet owners feed a soft diet or food made into a paste-like consistency to minimize pressure and motion around the fracture.
How to Feed a Dog With a Broken Jaw
After your dog's jaw surgery, a feeding tube may be necessary while they adjust to their new situation. Although feeding tubes may sound scary, most patients adapt quickly and tolerate them well. Detailed instructions for the feeding tube, including how to use it, care for it, and specific feeding instructions, are always fully explained and provided in writing for your reference.
Once your vet feels your dog has healed enough to eat, they will prescribe strong pain medications to allow your pet to eat soft foods without pain. Canned food or softened kibble should be suitable, and your vet will recommend the best food for your dog during their recovery.
You may be asked to monitor your dog's eating habits and inform your vet if your pup isn't eating as much as they should. Some dogs may find eating smaller, more frequent meals easier if your schedule allows. It's also a good idea to monitor your dog's weight. If your four-legged friend begins losing weight, contact your vet for advice on encouraging them to eat more.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet to accurately diagnose your pet's condition.