If your dog suffers a broken jawbone, it can be very painful and scary. In this blog post, our Redding vets discuss broken jaw injuries in dogs and how you can help your pup.
What causes 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 an altercation with another dog.
Periodontal disease can make a dog more likely to suffer a jaw fracture. Bone loss weakens the mandible, predisposing it to fracture when a dog bumps into furniture, chews on one of its toys, or even bites 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 fully evaluated for additional injuries. When the fracture occurs or is noticed, it is always best to have your pet seen by your vet or 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 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. The patient may suffer from malocclusion 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 do you treat a broken jaw in a dog?
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 the teeth line up correctly.
Once an acrylic splint is in place, your pet must refrain from chewing on toys or anything hard 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 determines that the fracture site is healed, a second brief anesthesia is required to confirm healing with X-rays. If the fracture is healed, the splint is 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 in treating a broken jaw?
All surgical procedures involve some level of risk. You can help minimize these risks by following your vet's pre- and post-operative care recommendations.
One of the most common complications that can be easily avoided is infection. While the likelihood of this occurring is reduced with proper care and medication during recovery, it's important to be aware of the signs, such as redness, swelling, and more. If you have any concerns, please get in touch with your vet.
The Prognosis for a Jaw Fracture Repair
The prognosis for jaw fracture repair typically ranges from good to excellent, with a few exceptions. Maxillary fractures tend to be fairly 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 a great 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 is reduced. The cause of the trauma, impact force, duration of the injury, and bacterial contamination all play a role in your dog's outcome.
How to Take Care of a Dog after Jaw Surgery
After repairing the fracture, your vet will provide detailed instructions regarding home care for your dog. Patients must be confined and kept on a leash to minimize running, playing, or jumping around during healing. Regardless of the repair technique, we often recommend pet owners feed a soft diet or food into a paste-like consistency to minimize pressure and motion around the fracture.
How to Feed a Dog With a Broken Jaw
Right after your dog's jaw surgery, a feeding tube may be necessary to adapt to its new situation. Feeding tubes can sound scary to pet owners; however, most patients adjust quickly and tolerate them very well. Detailed instructions for the feeding tube, including how to use it, care for it, and provide specific feeding instructions, are always fully explained and written down for your reference.
Once your vet feels that your dog has healed enough to begin eating, they will prescribe pain medications strong enough to allow your pet to eat soft foods without pain. Canned food or softened kibble should be fine, and your vet will recommend the best food to feed your dog during its recovery.
You may be asked to monitor your dog's eating to let your vet know if your pup isn't eating as much as it should. Some dogs may find eating smaller, more frequent meals easier if your schedule allows. Keeping an eye on your dog's weight is also a good idea. If your four-legged friend begins losing weight, contact your vet for advice on how to coax your dog 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.