Similar to other broken bones, jaw fractures can happen to your dog when you least expect it and typically as a result of an accident or trauma. Today, our Sacramento vets discuss what happens when a dog has a broken jaw and how surgery can be performed to repair the damage.
What causes broken jaws in dogs?
Dogs may sustain a broken jaw either through periodontal disease or trauma (your vet may also call this a maxillary fracture or mandibular fracture). Traumatic events, such as being hit by a car or fighting with another dog, can lead to broken jaws in dogs.
Some activities you'd think are innocuous, like biting down on hard food or chewing a toy, can also lead to jaw fractures if the bone has been weakened by periodontal disease.
If your dog has been in a dog fight or was hit by a car, it's also critical to check for additional injuries that may have occurred. If your dog experiences a fracture, it's important to bring them to a vet for emergency care right away. A veterinarian can address the fracture once your dog has been stabilized.
Why is it important to treat a broken jaw?
When your dog experiences a jaw fracture, our primary goal is to perform dental surgery to promptly relieve any discomfort. This will help your dog eat and rest comfortably. Improper healing of the upper or lower jaw can lead to problems with teeth alignment. It's extremely important to prevent the nerves from being harmed.
By treating your dog's broken jaw, we can help your pup feel better and regain function in their mouth.
How to Feed a Dog With a Broken Jaw
You'll need to make some adjustments to feed your dog if they have a broken jaw. We recommend providing soft, liquid-based food like wet canned food or a specially formulated soft diet to ensure they receive vital nutrients. You may need to blend or puree the food to make it easier for your dog to eat comfortably.
Some dogs may be unable to eat on their own after they've had veterinary surgery to repair their broken jaw. These dogs will need to be fed via feeding tube or syringe.
What are the treatment options for a dog with a broken jaw?
In many instances, a vet may recommend surgery to treat a dog's broken jaw. In these cases, surgeons often often use metal screws, plates, and wires. However, less severe fractures may be treated with acrylic splints, which support a simpler procedure without the need for complex surgery. Your vet's main goal will be to ensure your dog's teeth are correctly aligned, preventing long-term complications.
After the splint is placed, your dog needs to avoid chewing on hard objects for a few weeks. Furthermore, it is recommended to provide them with soft food until the vet authorizes a transition back to a hard food diet. You can remove the splint once the fracture has completely healed. Another anesthetized procedure may be required to remove the wire or splint, if necessary.
What to Expect After Treating a Dog's Broken Jaw
In most cases, repairing jaw fractures is highly effective, although there are a few exceptions. Maxillary fractures that are treated effectively typically result in favorable outcomes. However, the prognosis for mandibular fractures can be more uncertain, depending on the cause of the injury.
If the cause behind the broken jaw is a simple fall or accident, you will likely be able to expect a pretty good prognosis. However, older, smaller-sized dogs and those with dental issues may have a more challenging recovery if they sustain a jaw break during surgery. Recovery depends on the severity of the injury, any damage to the blood supply, and the presence of bacterial infection.
How should you take care of your 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, it may be beneficial to feed your dog a soft diet or paste food to reduce the amount of pressure exerted on the healing bone. At first, your dog may need a feeding tube, which can be a bit daunting. However, dogs usually adjust quickly and handle it well.
Don't fret too much about this part of the recovery process. Your vet will provide complete instructions for the use and care of your dog's feeding tube.
Are there any potential complications with jaw surgery for dogs?
All surgical procedures involve some degree of risk. By following your vet's pre- and post-op care recommendations you can help to diminish this risk.
One of the most common complications that can be easily avoided is infection. While the possibility of occurrence 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 people or pets. Always follow your doctor's advice regarding asthma or other allergy symptoms.
