What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Re: What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:29:14 GMT

It was my colleague that dealt with it, as far as I'm aware the jaw wasn't actually dislocated - one of the lower canines had been slightly displaced - was further out of it's socket than it should, and this was impinging on the upper canine, stopping the mouth closing properly. On radiographs when the mouth was open the mandible looked displaced, when we manipulated the affected canine so the mouth could close it looked ok. So, scale, polish and extractions seemed to be the only intervention necessary.

Thanks for all the advice and help though, will be using the pencil trick in the future!

Re: What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:59:12 GMT

How did it all turn out, Anthony?

Re: What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Dagmar Steele — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:45:57 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

PS All respect to Dagmar, but if it's what we think it is, it will not recur.

[/quote]

I does in me and it did in the Persian cat I have treated for years (he kept coming in with the condition approximately every four weeks), that's why I've added it. It depends on the reason for lx, if it's an RTA it will hopefully not recur, if it is a malformated or worn joint it will.

Re: What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:47:58 GMT

PS All respect to Dagmar, but if it's what we think it is, it will not recur.

Re: What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:46:04 GMT

What Utlendigur said will work very nicely. Just have a look at a skull if you can. The mandibular condyle has flipped over to the rostral side of the rostral edge of the articular fossa and you have to lever it back over.

I have a small private theory that this happens when the cat is struck head on by the car with its mouth wide open. Anyway, it's not uncommon.

BUT but but but we are making a big assumption from Anthony's post that this what has happened. If it's not this kind of dislocation or there is a fracture of anything then the treatment will be different.

The radiographs are indispensable.

Re: What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Utlendigur — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:49:16 GMT

I tend to use a biro (thick plastic so it doesn't break) or pencil across the back of the mouth, then close the jaw by pushing the rostral mandible up towards the rostral maxilla. The pencil acts like a fulcrum.

Re: What to do with a cat with a dislocated jaw?

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:43:05 GMT

As I have this problem myself each time I'm at the dentists :-( I was able to help the first tomcat I saw with this condition very fast. Open the mouth, stand in front of the cat, press both thumbs on mandible as far at the back of the mouth as you can. Put pressure on the mandible from the top downwards (press on the teeth) and then a bit backwards. (With feeling please :-) ) If you're lucky it'll slip back into place easily. No harm just trying it if there is not much pain present, if it doesn't work you can still do all the workup you need. If it works be warned it may reoccur on a regular basis (ie each visit to the dentists....)