How to insert a cat's jaw. Why do dislocations occur? Partial or complete mandibulectomy

Fractures in pets are always unpleasant and difficult. The cat cannot say how bad he is, but this is already clearly visible: when an animal cannot walk and play, becomes sad and lethargic, being forced to wear tight bandages or a cast for a long time, it does not look cheerful. But paw injuries are “trifles” compared to other types of such injuries. One of the most severe is a broken jaw in a cat. If you do not care for a sick animal in this case, it will simply die from complete exhaustion: with a broken jaw, it will not be possible to eat much.

In cats, jaw fractures are a direct consequence of severe mechanical injuries.. Rarely, spontaneous damage is possible. When a cat tries to gnaw on a particularly “appetizing” meat bone, its jaws may not be able to withstand such heavy loads that are not intended by nature. As a rule, the lower jaw breaks: its bones are quite thin and fragile, so a particularly strong impact is not required. However, fractures do not always happen: often the finest “hairline” cracks appear on the bone tissue, and sometimes the cat’s jaw can be crushed. Be that as it may, a cat with a broken jaw will sit with its jaw hanging open, unable to return it to its normal position. But a fracture of the upper jaw is much more dangerous: firstly, it is extremely painful; animals receiving such an injury often die from painful shock.

Fracture of the lower jaw is more common, including because the bones that form it are connected by the so-called symphysis. This joint is much weaker than, for example, the hip joint. That's why it breaks much easier.

Below we provide most common symptoms of fractures both upper and lower jaws. Please note that trauma to the lower jaw is almost always clearly visible and obvious, while damage to the palate may remain undetected for a long time. The cat may feel bad, but it still exists, and therefore suspicions of a fracture do not appear immediately. So, the signs of pathology are as follows:

• Complete or partial refusal of food.
• Swelling of the soft tissues around the mouth.
• Bleeding from the mouth.
• You can see wounds in the cat's mouth.
• Hypersalivation, that is, excessive salivation.
• “Disproportionality” and asymmetry of the jaw.
• The animal's mouth hangs downwards and the pet cannot close it.

Types of fractures

All jaw injuries can be divided into two large groups: favorable and unfavorable. Differentiation is related to the severity of the damage, the presence/absence of bone fragments, the condition of the pet, etc. Let's look at these types in a little more detail.

Favorable

In case the jaw remains in a relatively normal position, does not hang or bent to one side, the fracture can be considered “favorable”. This is often considered to be damage to the upper jaw (don’t forget that they are still extremely dangerous). Perhaps even the simplest treatment at home will help. Of course, if the cat’s owner has at least basic veterinary skills and knows how to apply tight bandages and plaster.

Adverse

If the fracture caused displacement of the jaw, it can be considered unfavorable. In particular, with such injuries, the masticatory muscles are often torn. If the damage additionally passes through the symphysis, the pet’s mouth droops downwards and hangs on bundles of ligaments and blood vessels. It looks very scary, the pathology is extremely dangerous for the health and life of the pet.

Main predisposing factors

Fractures of the upper and lower jaws are quite common in cats. As we have already said, they are usually caused by injuries. This includes the following impacts (but this list is far from complete):

• Collision by car or bicycle.
• Fights with other animals.
• Falls from great heights. The latter is a particularly common outcome of “March games” for cats.

The video below tells the fate of the kitten, or rather, describes the process of saving him after receiving a serious jaw fracture. The cause of injury was another common “factor” – man.

If the immediate cause is not injury, things can be even worse:

• Tooth decay.
• Metabolic disorder.
• Aggressive oncological neoplasms.
• Complications after dental procedures.

It is important to note that these problems are much more common in older cats. It is for them, by the way, that osteoporosis is characteristic, often leading to the complete destruction of bone tissue.

The process of diagnosing jaw fractures

So, the conclusion is simple - no matter what type of jaw fracture it is, the injured animal must be immediately taken to a veterinarian. To make an accurate diagnosis, he can use one of the methods described below. Let us emphasize once again that jaw fractures - an extremely painful injury. To conduct even the simplest examination, the animal must be given fairly powerful sedatives, otherwise it may die from painful shock. This is especially important when examining a broken jaw in a kitten.

Visual exploration

The most obvious and simple method. It is important to examine the animal’s jaws and understand how deep the wound channel is and what can be done to alleviate the pet’s condition. Considering that jaw fractures often result in thin and sharp fragments, it is not surprising that after injury, pieces of them pierce the skin and are clearly visible to the naked eye.

Before any further research is carried out, it is necessary to ensure that the animal's condition is stable. If the fracture was caused by a car collision, the cat must first be “stabilized” so that it does not die from internal bleeding or other severe post-traumatic consequences.

Visual inspection of the fracture

To visually determine the severity of a fracture, it must be seen. This is why the veterinarian will conduct an x-ray examination of the affected area. If the animal’s condition is alarming, or the case is complex, an MRI will not hurt. Only after collecting all the diagnostic information can it be determined which therapeutic strategy should be chosen.

Therapeutic techniques

The methods directly depend on the specific type of fracture. Let's look at the most common and effective treatment methods.

External immobilization

Used in case simple fractures. In this case, a special muzzle is placed directly on the muzzle, or a tight bandage is used. If the injury is relatively simple, therapy is limited to this.

External skeletal fixation

The jaw is held in place by externally applied plates, which in turn are held in place by special pins and bolts. After healing, all “foreign” implants are removed. This technique has proven itself in the treatment open jaw fractures.

Internal reduction

In this case, the same metal plates and bolts are inserted during surgery. Unlike the previous technique, implants remain in the animal’s body throughout its entire subsequent life. The advantage of the technique is simpler postoperative care. This operation is often used when eliminating the consequences of damage to the symphysis.

Interosseous or interfragmentary “wiring”

A long, thin "wire" is inserted through the lower jaw, but remains under the tongue and is then passed outward to the opposite side. To prevent the implant from falling out, it is fixed with clamps. After healing, the “crossbar” is removed. The technique is often used in conjunction with the previous method to eliminate consequences of severe fractures complicated by the formation of large bone fragments.

Attachment of the palatine bones

To prevent mixing of the split areas of the palatine bones, they must be firmly fixed by screwing to each other. It is not difficult to guess that this technique is used when fractures of the upper jaw. The advantage of this method is the ability to feed the animal independently during the entire treatment period. Of course, the cat should eat exclusively soft, pureed food.

Securing teeth

For fractures accompanied loosening and damage to teeth, they are also attached directly to the jaw using plates and flexible wires made of medical steel. Such “braces” are also removed after complete healing of post-traumatic injuries.

Partial or complete mandibulectomy

If jaw destroyed so that the operation is pointless (in particular, too many small fragments have formed), a decision may be made on complete resection of the affected organ. It is worth considering that after this operation the cat will physically not be able to feed on its own. For the rest of his life he will have to be fed using an esophageal tube. Alas, some pets cannot stand such a life and become weaker, subsequently dying.

How to care for a recovering animal?

If the veterinarian has confirmed that it is possible to give food to the animal naturally, within two to three days after the pet returns from the clinic, you need to “pamper” it only with soft, well-cooked foods. Sedatives are often prescribed to facilitate the pet’s recovery process: it still hurts to eat, and therefore without “stimulants” the cat will refuse even the most delicious and attractive food.

To reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process and improve the general condition of the animal, they are also prescribed anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. If there is even the slightest risk of a secondary bacterial infection, you cannot do without powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics. You should also limit your pet’s activity and not “provoke” him to play. Complete peace of mind is especially important for those animals whose healing of the external implant attachment area is poor.

Please note that if there are external “clamps”, they must be regularly cleaned of any remaining stuck food and other contaminants, as otherwise inflammatory reactions may develop.

It is advisable to use solutions of disinfectants rather than plain water. Note that even after the fracture heals and the fixing devices are removed, the cat is unlikely to immediately return to normal. Various “side effects” are possible:

• Irregularity of the teeth, leading to malocclusion.
• Poor jaw function (the cat cannot chew normally).
• Incomplete bone healing, inflammation and pain.
• Lack of teeth.
• Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the jaw bone).
• Periodontal disease.

If the animal has been properly cared for, full recovery usually occurs within five weeks.

Mobile and active pets are often exposed to various types of injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Dislocation is a violation of the anatomical location and change in the physiological function of the joint. The main symptom of the disease is various types of lameness and loss of supporting function of the injured limb. The most dangerous consequences for a furry pet are dislocations of the hip joint, a complex organ.

Read in this article

Causes of dislocation

In veterinary medicine, it is customary to distinguish between congenital and acquired (traumatic) forms of violation of the integrity of the joint. Congenital dislocations are usually the result of a genetic predisposition and are most often diagnosed as impaired mobility (dysplasia) of the hip, elbow and wrist joints.

Congenital disorders of the musculoskeletal system most often appear by the age of six months. Persian, Himalayan and Maine Coon cats are predisposed to the disease.

Acquired dislocations in pets are most often caused by injuries of various kinds. In this case, the mechanical impact can be not only in the joint area.

For example, when a cat has a bruise or injury to the occipital bone, its jaw dislocates.

Often the cause of the development of joint mobility is the result of rough or inept handling of the animal. This happens with young kittens when there is improper contact, when the baby is dragged by the front limbs. The disease can also develop during active games, when the cat swings its paw and receives a retaliatory blow.

The most common causes of dislocation in furry fidgets are: falling from a height, unsuccessful attempts to climb up and down from a tree, fights with relatives and other animals, and getting a paw stuck. Quite often, dysfunction occurs when a car hits an animal.

The cause of dislocations of a wide variety of joints can also be chronic diseases, which result in the destruction of joint and bone tissue (osteoporosis, osteomalacia). Experts include paralytic dislocations in a separate group with the development of severe convulsions, paralysis, and paresis.

Types of dislocations in cats

Pathology on the part of the joint is a displacement of the bones that form the organ from its anatomical position. In this case, damage occurs to soft tissues, blood vessels, ligaments, and adjacent tendons.

Complete dislocation of the hip joint

In addition to congenital and acquired forms of the disease, veterinarians distinguish between complete and incomplete joint pathology. With complete dislocation, the end parts of the bones involved in the formation of the joint do not touch each other.

With an incomplete form (subluxation), the bones retain the ability to touch.

If, when the joint is damaged, there is no violation of the integrity of the skin, then experts talk about a simple dislocation. The pathology is complex, accompanied by intra-articular fractures, ruptures of ligaments and tendons.

Symptoms of a dislocation in a cat

It is not so difficult for an attentive owner to suspect a traumatic joint injury. As a rule, the animal experiences a loss of support function of the injured limb. The cat does not step on the injured paw and holds it up. If an injury to the masticatory joint is suspected, misalignment of the teeth on the front and lower jaw may occur.

Hip joint

Damage to such a complex joint is, as a rule, a consequence of the load on the round ligament, and is accompanied by the exit of the femoral head from the anatomical (acetabulum) socket of the pelvis. This is one of the most common pathologies of this type.

The disease is characterized by pronounced lameness. The animal experiences severe pain when moving. The limb becomes shortened. The animal holds it in a half-bent position, brought towards the body.

An attentive owner can hear clicks and crunches when the pet tries to move. When examining the contour of the joint, swelling and deformation are observed.

However, such symptoms are characteristic of complete dislocation. Incomplete joint damage is often asymptomatic in cats and is detected only by x-ray examination.

Congenital dysplasia manifests itself in the form of permanent lameness. Disorders of musculoskeletal function are most often observed in purebred representatives of the cat family and are associated with the inheritance of defective genes.

Front or back paw

The clinical symptoms of a dislocation of the fore or hind limb are practically no different from pathology in the hip joint. The disease is accompanied by impaired motor function and pain. The animal moves on three legs, trying not to lean on the affected limb. A careful examination can reveal asymmetry, disruption of the anatomy of the damaged area, and swelling.

Tail

Cats often get tail injuries during fights with relatives and enemies, or being hit by vehicles. Even the most careful owner can accidentally step on a limb or get it pinched in the doorway.

Such factors often lead to dislocation of the caudal vertebrae. Visually, the disease is observed in the form of curvature. There is also a noticeable decrease in the mobility of the organ at the site of injury.

Providing emergency assistance by the owner

In case of traumatic damage to the joint, veterinary specialists strongly do not recommend self-medication and straightening the dislocation of the animal. This can lead to unpleasant consequences and complications. Having discovered a joint dysfunction in a cat, the owner can take the following measures before providing qualified assistance:

• Immobilize the injured limb. To immobilize the joint, planks and a short ruler are suitable.
• Place the animal in a confined space: box, carrier, basket. The cat should be kept inactive. You should not touch the sore paw, causing discomfort to your pet.

• In the first half hour, applying a cold object to the site of injury is effective. For these purposes, wrap something from the freezer in a towel. Cold acts as a pain reliever and reduces swelling when a joint is damaged.
• When reducing a dislocation, the animal is usually put into a narcotic sleep, so it is better not to feed the pet before the visit to the clinic.

The owner’s task is to immediately deliver the injured cat to a specialized facility. Delay threatens scarring of damaged tissues and the inability to reduce.

Diagnosis of the problem in the clinic

When examining a furry patient, a veterinarian will ask about the nature of the injury and palpate the damaged joint. The most reliable way to diagnose injuries to the musculoskeletal system is x-ray examination.

X-ray of left hip dislocation

This method allows not only to detect pathology, but also to determine the direction of dislocation, establish the condition of the ligamentous apparatus, and assess the degree of destruction of the joint and periarticular tissues.

Reduction of dislocation in hospital

Treatment for a joint injury should be carried out as quickly as possible. Immediate assistance consists of closed reduction of the dislocation, which is carried out with subsequent x-ray monitoring. The procedure usually requires general anesthesia for the animal, as it is very painful. Often during manipulation, muscle relaxants are used - muscle relaxing medications.

In order to ensure the success of the procedure, the reduced limb is bent and unbent, and rotational movements are performed with the paw (moved inward and to the side).

After reduction, the damaged joint is fixed with special bandages to prevent relapse, which the animal wears for 10 to 14 days.

Reduction of a dislocated jaw in cats

A dislocated jaw is corrected by placing a stick across the mouth. A successful manipulation is characterized by a click of the articular head of the jaw. After adjustment, the cat is prescribed a gentle diet of wet food.

If a pathology of the hip joint is detected in a pet, veterinary specialists use surgical needles. For dislocations of the upper and lower extremities, wires and screws are used.

After the assistance, the animal is prescribed complete rest, a balanced diet, and vitamin therapy. On the recommendation of a doctor, anti-inflammatory, painkillers, chondroprotectors and immunomodulators can be prescribed.

Operation as the only option in advanced cases

Often, a furry patient comes to a veterinarian too late, when a lot of time has passed and the joint tissues have healed. If contracture develops, the animal undergoes arthrodesis (bone fusion) or resection of the joint in a specialized clinic.

In veterinary practice, there are many techniques and modifications of open methods for the treatment of chronic dislocations (closed reduction with a pin, open reduction with suturing of the capsule, endoprosthetics, corrective osteotomy of the bone, etc.). The choice of one technique or another depends on the specific case.

When congenital hip dysplasia is detected, veterinary specialists use surgery as the most effective way to combat the disease. Conservative treatment in the form of anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors often does not bring the expected results.

Joint dislocation in pets is not that uncommon. The owner must understand the need to urgently seek professional help and not make independent attempts to straighten the joint. Effective treatment of congenital and chronic dislocations is only possible through surgery.

Useful video

For information on the surgical treatment of hip dislocation in a cat, watch this video:

A dislocation is an abnormal arrangement of anatomical structures relative to each other. When a joint dislocates, the bones move relative to each other without damaging them. Dislocation is accompanied by damage to the soft tissues around the joint: blood vessels, joint ligaments, its capsule, and tendons of adjacent muscles are torn.

Why do dislocations occur?

In order for a healthy joint to dislocate, significant effort must be applied, and most often in dogs, dislocations occur as a result of various injuries.

• auto injury;
• playing injury;
• getting limbs into holes;
• getting a limb stuck while moving;
• falling from a great height;
• collision with an obstacle at high speed.

What does a dislocation look like?

With a congenital dislocation, the main symptom is lameness; with a traumatic dislocation in cats, the animal cannot lean on the paw, which is unnaturally deployed and swollen. After an injury, the cat jumps on three legs.

Diagnosing a dislocation

Congenital dislocations and subluxations develop due to a genetic marriage of abnormal joint structure. Often these pathologies are recognized already in adulthood (6–8 months and older), sometimes as an accidental finding. From the practice of a veterinarian: The most common traumatic dislocations are the hip, elbow, and in cats, the jaw and wrist joints.

Externally, upon careful examination, you can see: swelling, asymmetry and deformation of the contours of the damaged joint (compared to the limb on the opposite side). with dislocation of the lower jaw - misalignment of teeth. Palpation during traumatic dislocations is difficult - when palpated, the animal experiences sharp pain.

A characteristic symptom is elastic (“rubber”) fixation of the joint, which normally works like a lubricated hinge. You can also feel bone-on-bone friction, grinding, clicking, and displacement of anatomical landmarks (for specialists).

From the practice of a veterinarian:

• Do not try to correct the dislocation yourself - it is painful and can worsen the animal’s condition.
• Before visiting the doctor, try to immobilize the animal and the injured limb - place it in a cage, box, or carrier.
• It is necessary to avoid using the sore paw, do not knead it, do not shift it again or disturb the cat.
• Place ice or something from the freezer on the injured limb for 20–30 minutes, after wrapping it in a towel.
• Do not force feed or water the animal - anesthesia may be required.
• If your pet is in a lot of pain, give a “Travmatina” injection, it will numb the pain and partially relieve swelling (used for bruises and dislocations, a wide range of applications), and treat the joint with “Trauma-gel”
• As soon as possible, take the cat to a clinic where there is an orthopedist, an x-ray, and an operating room.

The urgency of first aid is due to the fact that a day or two will pass, the muscles will contract, a dense blood clot will form in the joint cavity, the tissue will begin to scar, and the cat will be guaranteed surgery. The more time passes from the moment of dislocation, the more difficult it is to straighten the joint. If more than 2-3 weeks have passed after the injury, the joints, as a rule, cannot be restored. In such cases, they resort to surgery for arthrodesis (complete fixation of the joint) or resection (removal) of part of the bone to relieve the animal from pain.

Dislocation - swelling, asymmetry and deformation of the contours of the damaged joint

Treatment of dislocation in cats.

There are mainly two types of treatment – ​​conservative (closed) and surgical (open).

• Conservative reduction - the dislocation is reduced under general anesthesia - good pain relief and muscle relaxation are required. After such treatment, a control X-ray examination is performed to ensure the correct position of the bones in the joint.
• Surgical reduction is done if closed reduction is not possible. In this case, an incision is made on the joint, blood clots and destroyed fragments of the joint are removed from its cavity. After this, with the help of special levers and sometimes significant physical effort, the joint is returned to its original position

After reduction - closed or open - the joint must be fixed or immobilized. For this purpose, bandages or splints are used.

Sometimes you have to resort to a treatment method such as surgical fixation of the joint:

• special knitting needles - needed for dislocations of the hip or wrist joints,
• screws and wires for dislocation of the elbow and ankle joints.
• when the lower one is dislocated, sometimes it is necessary to sew the animal’s mouth shut for 5–10 days. It's cruel, but there's nothing you can do about it.

In rare cases, with timely reduction and minor soft tissue injuries, immobilization is not necessary.

Treatment of congenital dislocations is usually much more complicated than traumatic ones and is almost always surgical. Although congenital dislocation of the patella in dwarf dog breeds may not require treatment at all.

We hope that you will never need this information. If trouble happens and your pet gets sick, don’t waste expensive time on correspondence and consultations over the Internet - go to the doctor!

When you get a pet, you need to provide it with proper attention and proper care. If you notice any changes, damage or bruises in your cat, immediately seek help from a veterinarian.

It often happens that a cat twists its paw. This can happen during a jump from a great height, a car accident, a game, a paw falling into a hole, or a high-speed collision. A dislocation is an abnormal alignment of joints. For a dislocation to occur, a considerable amount of force must be applied.

What does he look like?

If the dislocation is congenital, then it is expressed by a constant limp when walking. It develops due to abnormal joint structure due to disorders at the genetic level. Such deviations can be recognized in adulthood, mainly after six months. The most common congenital dislocations are dislocations of the hip, elbow, jaw and wrist joints.

If a dislocation in cats is traumatic, then the pet simply will not be able to lean on the paw, which will be unnaturally deployed, with minor swelling. Deformation of the joint contour will be noticeable. After an accident occurs, the animal will move only with the help of three legs. When a sprain occurs, the pet feels pain. If the lower jaw is dislocated, it will be noticeable how the teeth do not fit together.

The main symptom is elastic fixation of the joint, which cannot be observed in normal condition. There may be a sensation of bones rubbing during movement, you may hear a grinding or clicking sound.

How to deal with dislocation in cats?

You should not try to put the joint back into place on your own. If you try to do this, you can only aggravate the situation and cause the cat even more pain.

Until you get to the vet, try to keep your cat still, especially not touching the bruised area. Place the animal in a cage, box or special carrier. Make sure your cat does not use the injured limb. You can’t knead it or shift it. Provide complete rest to your pet.

If your cat doesn't want to drink or eat, don't force it, as anesthesia may be needed in the hospital.
If the animal experiences unbearable pain, an anesthetic injection should be given. It will help partially get rid of swelling. The joint can also be treated with a special gel.
Take your cat to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible for further examination by an orthopedic surgeon. An x-ray should be taken. If the situation is difficult, surgery may be required.

If you do not provide emergency first aid and do not immediately contact a veterinarian, then you can lead to surgery, and in some cases the cat remains crippled. The more time is lost after the accident, the more difficult it will be to restore everything. Veterinarians may resort to fixing the joint or even removing the bone.

How to treat dislocation in cats?

There are two types of treatment.

Closed(conservative). A dislocation in a cat is removed under general anesthesia. You just need to inject painkillers and muscle-relaxing medications. After this type of treatment, it is necessary to take a control x-ray to finally ensure the correct location of the bones in the joints.

Open(operational). Reduction of the joint using surgical intervention is carried out if it is impossible to use the conservative type. To do this, you need to make an incision on the damaged joint, remove the formed lumps of blood from the bag, and clean it from destroyed particles. Next, the joint is brought into the desired position using strong physical force or special levers.

After conservative or surgical reduction, it is necessary to fix the joint or completely immobilize the limb. To do this, the doctor may use a bandage or splint. In rare cases, surgery is used to fix the joint:

Using special knitting needles. They are used if the dislocation occurs in the hip or wrist.

Using screws and wire. If there is a dislocation of the elbow or ankle.
If the lower jaw is dislocated, the oral cavity is sutured for ten days.

Ensuring immobility of damaged areas is not used in case of timely assistance and for minor bruises. Treatment of congenital dislocations is carried out only by surgery. If trouble does happen, do not waste your time and rush to consult a specialist.

Cats often fall from heights and are injured. Many ordinary people tend to consider a broken limb to be the most “terrible” of such injuries, but in fact, fractures in cats are well treated, and the animal has every chance of making a full recovery.

True, fractures are also different. For example, an animal may suffer an intra-articular fracture, in which a crack runs along the surface of the “hinge” of the joint.

Such fractures are the most complex, they require long-term treatment and sometimes lead to the development of arthrosis.

Most injuries cause the cat to experience severe pain. The owner can independently reduce it by using pain relief therapy.

Special veterinary drugs ketofen or nalbuphine are well suited for this purpose. But it is better not to give such popular painkillers as baralagin and analgin, especially in tablet form, to a cat, because they cause severe salivation in the animal.

As a last resort, you can inject analgin by injecting 0.4 ml intramuscularly (dose for an average cat).

Dislocation of the lower jaw can occur as a result of screaming, strong yawning, while eating or vomiting, that is, in those moments when the mouth opens sharply and widely (trying to bite off too large a piece of food can also cause jaw dislocation.). Bad habits of opening bottles or packages with your teeth can also cause harm, excessively straining your jaw.

There are frequent cases of its damage as a result of a strong blow. Professional athletes - wrestlers and boxers - face dislocation of the lower jaw.

You can cause displacement of the articular head by chewing too hard and tough food, for example, nut shells. To protect your jaw from damage, you should avoid too sudden and rapid movements while yawning and chewing.

Dislocation of the lower jaw can also be non-traumatic. For example, some diseases, including rheumatism, gout, osteomyelitis, poliomyelitis, arthritis or arthrosis, cause relaxation of the ligaments, as a result of which the height of the joint decreases and its shape is deformed.

In women, due to the shallower depth of the articular fossa, it is easier to displace the head of the joint. Accordingly, jaw dislocation occurs much more often in them than in men.

The cause of jaw bone fracture in cats is the relative fragility and mobility of the lower jaw. Maxillary fractures are rarely diagnosed in furry pets.

Damage to the jaw bones does not go unnoticed by the owner and is characterized by the following clinical signs:

• profuse drooling;
• the upper and lower jaws do not take an anatomical position;
• bleeding from the nasal and oral cavity with an open form of fracture;
• protruding bone fragments in open injuries;
• the cat cannot close its mouth on its own;
• refusal to feed, difficulty eating and drinking; with a unilateral fracture, the appetite is not impaired, but the animal is not able to chew food;
• if the hard palate is damaged, the cat sneezes and the food it eats flies out of its nostrils;
• deformation, asymmetry of the jaw during visual examination;
• palpation reveals severe pain and swelling;
• Bad breath is observed in advanced cases.

If characteristic symptoms are detected, the owner should urgently take the pet in severe pain to a qualified specialist. The cat's jaw should be immobilized using a bandage. This manipulation will reduce pain and prevent displacement of damaged bone fragments.

The healing time of bone fracture is influenced by many factors: the nature of the fracture, its complexity, the success of the operation, the age of the animal and the individual characteristics of the body.

Veterinary practice shows that in young animals up to one year of age, the bones grow together in 3 weeks. The older the pet, the slower the processes of tissue regeneration, including bone ones.

In older cats, bone fusion can take up to 3 months.

Jaw fractures in cats are not uncommon. The owner needs to understand the importance of urgently seeking qualified help. Effective treatment is only possible with professional surgery. For prognosis and successful recovery, a competent rehabilitation period after surgery is of no small importance.

INJURY is the main cause of dislocation. As a rule, bone displacement occurs not at the site of physical impact, but remotely.

For example, a dislocated jaw in a cat may be a consequence of a blow to the back of the head. For kittens and young pets, the so-called “pulling” dislocation is not uncommon - the result of inept or rough handling.

For example, a dislocation of a cat’s paw occurs at the moment when the pet is about to run away from an annoying child, and the baby deftly catches the fleeing cat by the paw: with a jerk, the bone comes out of the joint.

By the same principle, dislocation “from pulling” occurs if the owner lifts the kitten from the floor, holding it by the front legs. Or he pulls the kitten towards him, dragging him by the hind limbs - the dislocation of the cat’s hind paw in this case is often complete, with displacement and damage to adjacent tissues.

CHRONIC DISEASES are the cause of the so-called

spontaneous dislocations. As a result of the disease, joint tissue or the articular ends of bones are destroyed - a long, sometimes imperceptible process.

Then, completely unexpectedly and for no apparent reason, the articular end of the bone is displaced. For example, a dislocated paw in a cat can happen while sleeping, stretching, jumping out of bed, i.e. without physical impact.

Sometimes it takes even less force to force a bone out of its socket, such as when a cat's jaw dislocates while eating or yawning. Paralytic dislocations are a consequence of paresis or paralysis of adjacent muscles.

The operation of a joint can be compared to a mechanism of two gears, and dislocation is the absence of several “teeth” or a breakage. Joint dislocation is a violation of the conformity and integrity of the articular surfaces of bones.

Classification of dislocations

• Congenital - the disorder occurs in the womb and the puppy is born with the pathology. If the puppy is viable, maintenance therapy is carried out, but unfortunately, the chances of recovery are minimal.

• Paralytic - occurs due to atrophy of the muscle group that supports the joint.

• Pathological – possible due to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, thinning of bone and cartilage tissues.

• Traumatic – resulting from a blow, fall, difficulties during childbirth (in puppies).

• “Habitual” - once stretched ligaments and muscles can poorly support the joint, which causes repeated dislocations under load.

• Complicated - bone displacement affects vital vessels or nerve endings.

• Unreducible - all types of old dislocations or in the case of the formation of new tissue between the articular heads.

• Fresh – less than 3 days passed from the moment of injury to discovery.

• Stale – the dislocation is detected after 3–14 days.

• Old – the period of injury is more than 14–21 days.

• Closed – the skin and external tissues are not damaged.

• Complete – divergence of the joint, rupture of the joint “bag”, displacement of the bone.

• Incomplete (subluxation)– articular tissues are partially torn, the articular capsule is not damaged, movements are painful, but possible.

Ignoring treatment is fraught with negative consequences for several reasons:

• An injured dog experiences pain, which may be accompanied by disobedience or aggression.

• The joint will recover in any case, however, an unfixed limb may heal incorrectly, which will disrupt the pace of life of the animal.

How to identify a broken paw in a dog? If it is a fracture of the paw (front or back) - and such fractures are most common in dogs, you will be able to observe the following symptoms of a fracture:

• the dog does not lean on one of its limbs at all
• the animal protects one of the limbs, when you try to touch and examine it, sharp pain appears, your pet may even try to bite you
• severe swelling of the soft tissues at the fracture site - the damaged limb is twice as thick as the healthy one, an extensive bruise may be visible
• violation of the configuration of one of the limbs, it looks asymmetrical in relation to the healthy one
• bone fragment visible through skin

In our article, we mainly looked at the actions of owners and doctors, as well as the features of treatment for a “paw fracture” in a dog - that is, a fracture of the long tubular bones of the front or hind limbs.

In dogs and puppies, these are hip fractures - that is, the femur, femoral neck fractures, tibia and fibula fractures, humerus fractures - the humerus, and forearm fractures - the radius and ulna - all of these fractures require immediate treatment.

These fractures occur most often in the practice of a veterinary traumatologist. Let us now discuss the nuances inherent in other types of fractures in dogs - not all of them are treated in the same way as paw fractures.

Owners usually refer to “finger fractures” as fractures of all the “small” bones of the hand and foot in dogs - that is, this group includes fractures of the carpal and tarsal bones, metacarpals and metatarsals, as well as the small bones that make up the fingers.

These dog fractures are usually caused by a bad turn or jump in play, they can happen if a small dog's paw is stepped on by a large dog (or person) or if the dog's foot gets stuck in a hole in the ground while he is running.

Sometimes such fractures occur as a result of a car injury.

Symptoms of such fractures usually include either complete inability to step on the paw or very severe lameness; such fractures are rarely open and rarely lead to significant swelling. But a significant pain reaction will also be present.

What should you do if your dog breaks a finger? It is necessary to show her to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Surgical treatment (osteosynthesis) is required in case of fractures of the carpal and tarsal bones, sometimes used for fractures of the metacarpal and metatarsal bones (more often if all bones are broken or the dog weighs more than 35 kg), and is very rarely used for fractures of the finger bones - fixation with a bandage is usually required and restriction of mobility for 1-1.5 months.

In any case, consultation with a doctor and x-ray is necessary.

Some owners don't know the importance of a dog's ribs. The ribs make up the main frame of the chest, and if a dog has broken ribs, it can have serious breathing problems.

Fractured ribs can also cause pneumothorax (a dangerous accumulation of air in the chest) or lung injury with bleeding. Rib fractures in dogs usually occur as a result of car injuries or fights with large dogs.

Typical symptoms of a rib fracture in a dog are wounds in the chest area (this area may hurt), imbalance of the chest, shortness of breath, and breathing with an open mouth.

Usually, all serious changes - accumulation of air in the chest, bleeding into the chest - occur unnoticed at first, therefore, with any injury to the chest (especially if bite marks are visible between the ribs), you need to show the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

This is one of the simplest fractures in veterinary practice; the symptoms of such a fracture are difficult to miss. Typically, a fracture occurs when a dog or puppy gets its tail pinched or stepped on.

Except in very rare cases where the fracture occurs very close to the dog's body (in which case the fragments become significantly displaced and the main artery or nerve supplying the tail is torn), these fractures in dogs and puppies are very easy to treat.

If the tail injury is serious and the nutrition of the tail below the fracture is disrupted, the tail, unfortunately, has to be amputated just above the fracture site. If the fracture is not significantly displaced, simply external fixation for about 4 weeks is sufficient for a complete recovery.

In general, the larynx is one of the most protected organs in the human body, so the likelihood of accidental injury is minimized. It is fenced from mechanical influences from all sides:

• from above - the lower jaw;
• below - the handle of the sternum;
• in front - the thyroid gland;
• behind - the bodies of the cervical vertebrae;
• on the sides - by the sternocleidomastoid muscles.

With light impact, due to its anatomical mobility, it is able to absorb pressure and shift. Therefore, injuries of various types that cause serious damage to the health and life of the victim are usually received in extreme situations.

Among the random factors leading to laryngeal injury are:

• foreign body entering the larynx;
• unintentional ingestion of alkali or acid;
• hitting the steering wheel with the neck area during an accident.

External laryngeal injuries most often occur due to:

• direct blows to the neck area (fist, foot, heavy object);
• impacts on a protruding surface (car steering wheel, railing);
• injuries of various types;
• hanging.

Internal injuries of the larynx can be caused by:

• ingress of a foreign body with sharp edges;
• inaccurate intubation, bronchoscopy or artificial ventilation;
• removal of a foreign body (not only from the larynx, but also from the pharynx);
• surgical manipulations on nearby organs (for example, bougienage of the esophagus);
• inhalation of hot steam;
• inhalation of caustic substances;
• ingestion of chemicals.

Injuries in cats

Veterinarians distinguish between open and closed fractures. The open form is characterized by damage to the skin and mucous membrane of the oral cavity by a bone fragment. If the fracture occurred through the dentition, then it is classified as an open form. A closed fracture does not lead to disruption of the integrity of the skin.

In veterinary practice, it is customary to distinguish between simple and complex textures of the jaw bones. In simple cases, there is a bone fracture in only one place. Complex ones are characterized by the presence of many fragments and are called splintered (multiple). Comminuted fractures occur with displacement and without fragments of damaged bone.

Based on the shape of the bone damage, experts distinguish between transverse, oblique and helical fractures. In 60% of cases, cats are diagnosed with a transverse fracture of the lower jaw running along the midsagittal line. Trauma to the jaw bone can also be unilateral or bilateral.

The veterinarian makes a diagnosis and determines the type and shape of the fracture based on examination and x-ray examination.

Inspection

A thorough examination of the oral cavity by a specialist will reveal broken teeth, disruption of the integrity of the oral mucosa, malocclusion, and jaw instability.

During a clinical examination, a specialist will use palpation to determine not only swelling and pain, but also abnormal mobility of a fragment of the lower jaw, crepitus of a bone fragment, and crunching. If necessary (breathing problems), the doctor can perform tracheal intubation.

X-ray

An X-ray examination provides a clearer picture of the traumatic injury. X-rays of the cat's lower jaw are performed under general anesthesia. The diagnostic method allows us to identify neoplasms that cause bone fracture. Based on the examination, the surgical treatment method is determined and a prognosis is given.

It is impossible to unambiguously determine the complex of symptoms of damage to this organ due to the wide range of their varieties and degrees of severity.

The presence and type of injury to the larynx can be determined with the naked eye, but the degree of its severity is revealed during a more detailed study. To make an accurate diagnosis, the traumatologist needs to assess how the larynx performs its respiratory function. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following:

• depth of inhalation and exhalation;
• respiratory rate;
• rhythm of respiratory contractions;
• difference in chest circumference during inhalation and exhalation (excursion);
• presence of shortness of breath (difficulty inhaling or exhaling);
• blue discoloration of mucous membranes;
• cardiac dysfunction.

A patient with a laryngeal injury of any kind needs first aid, which consists of:

• stopping bleeding;
• restoration of breathing;
• eliminating shock;
• ensuring normal airway patency.

Until the arrival of doctors, you should ensure complete rest, do not allow the victim to speak and allow him to suck on a piece of ice.

The victim should be secured in a supine position with the head slightly elevated and the neck immobilized. Oxygen can be provided through mask therapy. If asphyxia occurs, then a tracheotomy is possible.

During transportation, it is important to fix the patient’s tongue so as to prevent it from sticking in and blocking the airway.

Adequate treatment of laryngeal injuries is also important because their consequences may appear after a certain period of time. Therefore, it is important to provide full assistance to the victim and eliminate complications.

Treatment should be comprehensive, aimed not only at healing the damage itself, but also at relieving swelling, inflammation, and disinfection. In the future, therapeutic rinses are prescribed.

Symptoms

There are several main symptoms of a dislocated kneecap:

• lameness;
• with active movement, pain is observed (the pet may squeal sharply and pull its paw for some time);
• tries not to step on the sore paw and often straightens and stretches it, as if trying to set the bone on his own. There is a possibility that the owner
• will be able to straighten the joint independently;
• if one is dislocated, of course, then you can visually notice the unevenness and asymmetry,
• if there are two joints, then there is a chance that the paws will visually resemble a ring.

The main treatment method is surgery. During the operation, doctors remove part of the cancellous bone and deepen the groove in order to fix the ligament.

After a successful operation, there is no guarantee that the dislocation will not recur. It is necessary to carefully take care of your pet for a long time after surgery and refrain from heavy stress.

Young individuals tolerate the operation much easier. If you do not contact the veterinarian in time with a small puppy, then over time, as the dog grows, the ligament may even rupture.

The clinical picture of the disease can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the nature of the dislocation. The following signs indicate the presence of pathology:

• severe pain at the site of injury;
• deformation and swelling of the diseased joint;
• lameness is the main symptom of congenital dislocation;
• inability to lean on a limb; most often observed with dislocation of traumatic origin;
• clicking, grinding in the joint, sensation of bone rubbing against bone.

A characteristic sign of a dislocation in a dog will be an elastic, rubber-like fixation of the joint.

Regardless of the type of jaw dislocation, there are several common symptoms that help identify it. These include difficulty opening and closing the mouth, protrusion or skew of the lower jaw relative to the norm, difficulty speaking, severe salivation and sharp pain in the lower jaw, radiating to the temple.

In addition, jaw dislocation is accompanied by severe pain in the parotid region, as well as in the lower jaw area. The patient loses the ability to speak clearly because he cannot close his mouth.

There is increased salivation. Depending on the type of dislocation, the pain may affect only one or both sides of the skull.

Externally, changes in the position of the lower jaw are noticeable. It may be pushed forward or skewed.

A jaw dislocation can be diagnosed by external examination, but to differentiate it from a fracture, an x-ray examination is necessary.

You won’t be able to straighten your jaw if it’s dislocated on your own. It is necessary to contact specialists as soon as possible. However, as a first aid measure, the patient's mouth should be covered with a handkerchief to prevent dust and foreign bodies from entering it. The jaw can be temporarily supported with a bandage. Applying cold helps relieve pain.

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Symptoms of bilateral dislocation of the lower jaw:

• the mouth is springily open, the chin is protruded forward and springy
• teeth bite is impossible
• saliva is secreted
• speech is difficult
• cheeks flattened
• anterior to the tragus - a deep fossa
• the articular head of the lower jaw is palpated under the zygomatic arch, and under it the masticatory muscles protrude in ridges

With unilateral dislocation of the lower jaw, these signs are only on one side. The jaw is less fixed. The chin is tilted to the healthy side. The last circumstance is important, since when the articular processes are fractured, the chin is tilted towards the fracture.

Reduction of bilateral dislocation of the lower jaw can be achieved easily and without anesthesia. Its principle is to move the head stuck in front of the prearticular tubercle back through the protrusion of the tubercle.

For this purpose, the patient sits on a low seat with support under the back of the head. The surgeon places his thumbs on both rows of the lower teeth, reaching the corners with their ends if possible, and grabs the lower jaw from the outside with the remaining fingers.

By making the angle of the lower jaw a point of rotation, the surgeon quickly applies downward and backward pressure with his fingers on the angle; the chin moves upward and backward.

The procedure for reducing a dislocated mandible is performed with the patient in an upright position with the doctor’s fingers protected.

If it is not possible to straighten both sides at once, then you need to try to straighten one side first, then the other. Otherwise, reduction can be easily accomplished under anesthesia. Capistrum bandage and liquid food for 2-3 weeks to avoid recurrence of lower jaw dislocation.

Cases of reduction of chronic dislocations of the lower jaw after 8 months have been described. For irreducible dislocations of the lower jaw that interfere with the act of chewing, surgical reduction or resection of the articular ends is indicated.

In the presence of habitual dislocation of the lower jaw, for the purpose of sclerosis, it is recommended to inject iodine or alcohol solution into the temporomandibular joint or into its circumference, and in any case it is necessary to limit the wide opening of the mouth.

Posterior dislocation of the lower jaw is an extremely rare occurrence. It happens with direct force - when you hit the chin from the front with your mouth closed. When the lower jaw is dislocated posteriorly, the articular heads, sharply moving posteriorly, can perforate the ear canal.

1. If the owners missed the moment of injury to the pet, then the first sign that may indicate this is lameness, the dog becomes in an unusual position.
2. When a hind leg is dislocated, the animal cannot rise normally from the litter, or it hurts to lie down. At the same time, the dog whines and howls.
3. Pulls his paw inward and refuses food.
4. The temperature may rise.
5. If at least one of the listed signs is present, immediately contact a specialist.

First aid and treatment

Injuries in cats

If you suspect a dislocation, the dog should be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If this is not done, after a few days the muscles will begin to contract and the joint tissue will begin to scar, which is guaranteed to lead to surgery.

Before consulting with a specialist, it is strictly forbidden to feel, knead, or pull the injured limb. You should also not feed the dog, since the reduction may require general anesthesia.

Uncomplicated dislocations are treated by reduction - either closed or open, surgical. If necessary, fibrin clots and destroyed fragments of articular tissue are removed from the joint cavity.

The joint is always adjusted under anesthesia, after which it is fixed with bandages or splints. A dislocation of the hip joint in dogs may require fixation with special knitting needles, and with a dislocation of the lower jaw, sometimes the oral cavity needs to be sutured for 5-7 days to ensure rest for the speedy fusion of bones.

The doctor will be able to confirm the presence of a dislocation by performing an x-ray. After diagnosis, the jaw is realigned. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

The first step in treating a dislocated jaw is to move the jaw joint back to its normal place. This should be done by a doctor, but before hospitalization it is necessary to take first aid measures by securing the jaw with a scarf.

After the dislocation is reduced, the victim is given a tight immobilizing bandage that immobilizes the jaw for one to two weeks. During this time, you need to give up solid food, giving preference to soups and pureed porridges.

Reduction of a posterior dislocation is carried out in the same way, only the thumbs are located behind the wisdom teeth. After the procedure is completed, the doctor will apply a bandage, which you will have to wear for several weeks. A habitual dislocation can be treated surgically, but if it is caused by other diseases, it is necessary to treat them.

Old dislocations of the jaw are set under anesthesia (general or local), and they take longer to treat: you have to wear a fixing bandage or special orthopedic devices for up to three weeks.

In general, the outcome of this disease is favorable. Only in particularly severe cases may surgery be necessary, after which there is a possibility of difficulties in the mobility of the lower jaw.

During the recovery period after damage to the lower jaw, you should not eat hard or tough foods. It is recommended to eat porridge, puree soup and other soft foods. You cannot open your mouth wide, so you should suppress yawning and do not shout. Habitual dislocation can be caused by a large amount of food in the mouth, so you need to eat slowly, biting off small pieces.

In order not to aggravate the situation, the damaged part of the body must be fixed as is, without trying to return it to its natural position. It doesn’t matter what the owner is faced with - a complex dislocation of the hip joint in cats or a banal dislocation of a finger - a veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible.

The longer a dislocation goes untreated, the less chance there is of a full recovery. An untreated dislocation often becomes a “habitual” dislocation where the bone periodically comes out of the joint with any minor impact on the injured area.

Surgery to treat a dislocation is required only in extreme cases. Usually it is enough to return the bone to its place (manipulation under anesthesia), apply a fixing bandage and undergo a course of drug therapy.

In addition to painkillers, general strengthening drugs, sedatives, healing agents and agents that accelerate the restoration of cartilage tissue are prescribed. The cat should be restrained, not allowing it to jump, climb to heights, etc.

What operations are there?

The postoperative period is quite difficult. Bone fractures cause severe pain to the animal, so after the operation the surgeon prescribes painkillers for some time.

Antibacterial therapy is mandatory. Antibiotics are administered intramuscularly.

If there was an open fracture, then in the postoperative period the oral cavity is irrigated with disinfectant solutions (furacilin, chlorokegsidine).

Particular attention is paid to the nutrition of the operated animal. For the first two weeks, the cat should be fed only liquid food. The diet should include dairy products. If necessary, the doctor prescribes artificial feeding through a tube.

During the rehabilitation period, the owner must limit the cat's activity, prevent jumping, falling from heights, and active games. It is prohibited to let the animal go outside until the immobilizing elements are removed.

Any osteosynthesis is carried out using metal structures, with the help of which bone fragments are fixed to each other. These structures can be placed inside the bone (pins, wires), pass through the bone (screws, screws, wire sutures) or fixed on its surface (plates).

There are also methods for fixing fractures, in which the wires pass through the bone fragments, and the main structure that ensures the strength of their connection is located outside the limb (Ilizarov apparatus and other external fixators).