If your dog suffers a broken jaw, it can experience considerable pain and fear. Today, our vets in La Pine will explain the causes of this injury in dogs, how it can be treated, and the best ways to care for your pet after the injury.
What causes broken jaws in dogs?
Broken jaws 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 goal of jaw fracture repair surgery in dogs is to realign the fractured bones, stabilize the jaw, and promote proper healing. This procedure aims to restore normal function of the jaw, allowing the dog to eat, drink, and chew comfortably without pain or complications.
How to Treat Broken Jaws in Dogs
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 abstain 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 your dog to eat hard food again. If the doctor feels that the fracture site is healed, they will attempt to confirm this with X-rays. If the fracture is indeed healed, the splint is removed.
How do you feed a dog with a broken jaw?
Feeding a dog with a broken jaw requires some adjustments to ensure their comfort and proper nutrition. We recommend soft or liquid-based foods, such as wet canned food or a specially formulated soft diet. It may be necessary to blend or puree the food to make it easier for the dog to eat.
Using a syringe or feeding tube may be necessary in severe cases where the dog is unable to eat on their own.
How to Take Care of a Dog After Jaw Surgery
After repairing the broken bone, your vet will give you home care instructions for your dog. Make sure to confine your dog and use a leash to prevent any activities that could potentially cause more harm.
Furthermore, feeding your dog a soft diet or paste food may help relieve the pressure on the healing bone. At first, your dog may require a feeding tube, which can be daunting. However, dogs typically adjust quickly and handle it well.
Your vet will give you detailed instructions on how to use and take care of the feeding tube.
Are there complications to treating a broken jaw?
All surgical procedures involve some degree of risk. You can help diminish this risk by following your vet's pre-and post-op care recommendations.
One of the most common complications that can be easily avoided is infection. While the possibility of infection is lowered with proper care and medications during recovery, you should still be aware of the signs (such as redness, swelling, and more) and contact your vet if you have any concerns.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.