Jaw fracture in 12w old pup

Re: Jaw fracture in 12w old pup

Sandra Milburn — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:23:08 GMT

Hi again

Thanks for the above advice, much appreciated. Have managed to get the owner to go for referral (or at least a dentist's opinion). Hoping to get some answers today :) Pup is doing well in self though, so that is at least a start. :D

Re: Jaw fracture in 12w old pup

Sandra Milburn — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:23:06 GMT

Hi again

Re: Jaw fracture in 12w old pup

Noweia — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 23:08:47 GMT

We had one of these a few weeks ago - was seen OOH by someone else and sent to dental vets for tx. Mid ramus fracture, young dog. The wires are coming off after 6 weeks.

Re: Jaw fracture in 12w old pup

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:38:49 GMT

Don't worry about the symphysis.

When you say you wired the ramus, what do you mean exactly? How long will sufficient healing take? Not long! Say three weeks.

If I've understood you correctly, the jaw is stable enough now. Unless I've missed something, I don't see a need to use a muzzle as well. Just be careful with what the dog has to eat.

[quote user="Sandra Patzner"]What worries me is that I cannot see any other fractures, but can easily displace the lower jaw to the left (not to the right). Is that due to TMJ injury?[/quote]

I feel it must be. If you can, get some more Xrays positioned and exposed specifically for the TMJs, both sides. Which I admit is not particularly easy if you are not used to it.

But you may not - probably will not - need to apply any specific treatment for the TMJ. You can displace the jaw by hand, but does it displace otherwise? If it does, the muzzle would be a good idea.

The worry would be possible development of TMJ ankylosis but you can't do much to prevent that. Any sort of attempt at immobilising the TMJ would make ankylosis more likely.

Re: Jaw fracture in 12w old pup

An On MRCVS — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:53:48 GMT

Sorry for the anon posting - on somebody else's computer

TMJ injuries can be very difficult to image and diagnose accurately, but could I suggest a bit of sedative, displace the jaw in some manner which allows you to remove your hands from the patient, and re-xray? Should show you where the point of mobility is.