Dislocation of the jaw in a cat treatment. Clinical signs and diagnosis

Kornilova N. V., Vice-President of the Veterinary Dental Society. Veterinary clinic "Radenis", Solnechnogorsk, Moscow region

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed by the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone. Between the articular surfaces of hyaline cartilage lies a thin fibrocartilaginous disk that divides the joint into dorsal and ventral compartments. The articular capsule is attached along the edge of the disc. A powerful band of connective tissue on the lateral surface of the capsule forms a lateral ligament, which is stretched when lowering the lower jaw. The TMJ is a condylar joint that allows flexion, extension, and displacement in the forward-backward and sideways direction. The degree of displacement of the TMJ depends on the diet of the animal. In carnivores, the ability to displace the articular surfaces of the joint is lower than in omnivores. These differences are due to the degree of correspondence between the shape of the mandibular condyle and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone. Carnivorous felids have a high congruence of the articular surfaces due to a more protruding posterior articular process and articular eminence, which leads to a limitation of the displacement of the articular surfaces. On the lateral and medial surface of the vertical branch of the lower jaw, near the TMJ, there are large chewing muscles (chewing, pterygoid and temporal), closing the jaws.

Dislocation of the temporomandibular joint- a consequence of the separation of the articulation of the lower jaw from the articular surface of the temporal bone and the mandibular fossa.

Etiology and pathogenesis

Most often, TMJ dislocation is associated with head trauma. This pathology typically occurs in autotrauma and other blunt trauma, and we have also observed temporomandibular joint dislocations in cats bitten by dogs (Fig. 4).
Dislocation of the TMJ can be a separate injury or be combined with other maxillofacial injuries.
Most often, the condylar process is displaced in a rostral-dorsal direction. The mandibular condyle may also shift caudally, usually associated with a fracture of the articular process.
Clinical signs
The animal is unable to close its mouth, jaw asymmetry is present, hypersalivation is observed.

Differential Diagnosis:

TMJ dysplasia;
foreign body;
Fracture of the upper or lower jaw;
Idiopathic inflammation of the trigeminal nerve.

Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, and x-rays.

Treatment

The main goal of the treatment of TMJ dislocation is the restoration of a functional bite (Fig. 1).
Closed reposition of the TMJ dislocation is performed using a lever under general anesthesia. A lever (usually a pencil wrapped in gauze) is inserted between the maxillary and mandibular premolars and moved rostrally until the mouth is closed. After this procedure, the occlusion should be carefully checked as an indication of correct reposition of the joint. After reduction of the dislocation of the TMJ, fixation of the joint for 1–2 weeks is necessary to avoid recurrence.
Methods of fixation can be a tape muzzle (of little use for cats), stitching the upper and lower lips with a ligature, and open methods are also used - with stitching of the joint capsule with an overlap or removal of the mandibular condyle.
In our opinion, in many cases in cats, the optimal method of joint fixation after reposition of the TMJ dislocation is fixation of the canines with a composite - immobilization of the lower jaw by fixing it to the upper jaw - the so-called intermaxillary blockade (or maxillo-mandibular blockade), in which all four canines are fixed with a composite bridge. Intermaxillary blockade should be maintained for 2-3 weeks, usually this period is sufficient to fix the dislocation of the TMJ without the risk of remodeling of the immobilized joint.

Materials and methods:

"Travex-37" - gel for etching enamel and dentine (37% phosphoric acid) "OmegaDent".
Prime & Bond NT DENTSPLY USA is an adhesive system.
Light-curing flowable composite EsFlow Spident A1.
Grinding discs of varying degrees of abrasiveness.
Boron diamond spherical.

After closed reposition of the dislocation of the TMJ and checking the occlusion, the cat's mouth is slightly opened by 1–1.5 cm so that the canines of the upper and lower jaws touch approximately 1/3 of the surface. The assistant holds the cat's jaws in this position. Care must be taken to ensure that the TMJ remains in the correct position. Dental deposits (if any) must first be removed from the fangs. Then the surface of the canines is covered with a layer of etching gel from all sides and kept for 1–2 minutes (Fig. 2), after which the etching gel is washed off with a stream of water. Avoid getting the etching gel on the skin and mucous membranes, and in case of contact, immediately rinse with plenty of water.
After the enamel etching procedure, the fangs are slightly dried with a stream of air and an adhesive system is applied - bond. The bond is applied to the canines in a circular fashion, for 2/3 of their length (with the exception of the gingival surfaces). The bond is cured with a curing lamp for 10-20 seconds on each side of the tooth.
Next, a flowable composite is applied in layers and each layer is cured with a polymerization lamp. The composite is applied to the canines in such a way that teeth 104 and 404, as well as 204 and 304, are finally fixed to each other. As a result, the upper and lower jaws of the cat are fixed to each other (Fig. 3). Resin should be avoided at gingival contact to prevent an inflammatory response.

After a sufficient amount of composite has been applied and secured to the maxillary and mandibular canines, the surface of the cured composite should be sanded to remove roughness and create a smooth construction.
This dental structure is left for 2 weeks to fix the TMJ. Longer wearing of the structure can lead to ankylosis of the joints.
For home care during this period, owners are advised to rinse the cat's mouth with an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine after meals. In the presence of fractures, NSAIDs and antibiotics are prescribed. The cat is force-fed (from a syringe without a needle) for the first 1-2 days, then, as a rule, the cat begins to eat wet food on its own.

Removal of the structure

The composite is removed after 2 weeks under general anesthesia. The composite is removed gradually and carefully so as not to damage the enamel of the teeth. The procedure is carried out using a spherical diamond bur with a turbine handpiece of the dental unit. Thus, the bulk of the composite is removed, and then the material is removed and the surface of the teeth is polished with grinding discs with a decrease in the degree of abrasiveness.

Clinical case

Cat Kuzya, mestizo, 8 years old, weight 5 kg. He entered the clinic two hours after the car injury (Fig. 4). On examination: hyphema OS, the lower jaw is displaced to the right, the mouth is ajar, hypersalivation, the head area is sharply painful.
Diagnosis: dislocation of the TMJ (left-sided).
Premedication: atropine sulfate 0.1% - 0.05 mg / kg, ketoprofen 5% - 10 mg / kg, cefovecin - 8 mg / kg.
General anesthesia: zoletil 100 - 5 mg / kg, domitor - 30 mcg / kg.
Reposition of the dislocation of the TMJ and fixation of the canines with a composite were performed according to the method described above (Fig. 5).

The composite structure was removed after two weeks. The owners noted that the cat began to feed on its own on the second day after the operation. The owners did not carry out hygiene of the composite structure. Meloxicam was used - 0.2 mg/kg once a day for 5 days. After removal of the structure after 2 weeks, the occlusion is correct.

Disadvantages of the method

The method is not applicable in the following cases:

In the absence of one or more fangs;
With some bite anomalies (malocclusion and asymmetry of the jaws, for example, in Persian cats, short-faced exotics, in this case it is impossible to fix the canines of the upper and lower jaws due to large gaps between them (jaw asymmetry, bite anomaly class III, progeny));
With periodontal diseases;
When general anesthesia is not possible.

Sometimes hygiene of the structure (treatment of the oral cavity) and hygiene in the area of the chin and chest (with hypersalivation) are necessary. A possible complication of this method is ankylosis of the TMJ (especially with prolonged wearing of the structure), in about 30% of cases.

Advantages of the method:

Ease of implementation;
Possibility of self-catering;
The possibility of fixing fractures of the lower jaw (in the area of the vertical branches of the lower jaw, fractures of the articular process of the TMJ, intra-articular fractures).

The method of dental fixation of the temporomandibular joint after dislocation reposition has shown its effectiveness, safety and has proven itself in clinical practice.

Literature:

Marcus Eichhof. Fractures of the upper and lower jaws in cats. Veterinary focus, No. 22.3, 2012.
Brook A. Nemec. Diseases of the dentoalveolar apparatus of small domestic animals, 2013.
Jack S. Boyd. Topographic anatomy of the dog and cat. Color Atlas, 1998.
Brook Niemiec. Veterinary Dentistry Applications in Emergency Medicine, 2013.
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry, Third edition, 2007.

Category: Dentistry

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

It often happens that a cat has sprained its paw. This can happen during a jump from a great height, a car accident, a game, a paw in a hole, or a collision at high speed. A dislocation is an abnormal arrangement of joints. For a dislocation to occur, a considerable amount of force must be exerted.

What does he look like?

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

If the dislocation in cats is traumatic, then the pet simply will not be able to lean on the paw, which will be unnaturally deployed, with slight swelling. Deformation of the contour of the joint will be noticeable. After an accident occurs, the animal will move only with the help of three paws. With dislocations, the pet feels pain. If there is a dislocation of the lower jaw, 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 the normal state. There may be a feeling of friction of the bones during movement, you can hear a rattle, a click.

How to deal with dislocation in cats?

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

Until you get to the vet, try not to move your cat, especially the bruised area. Place the animal in a cage, box or special carrier. Make sure that the cat does not use the injured limb. You can not knead it, shift it. Make sure your pet is at peace.

If the cat does not want to drink or eat, do not force it, as anesthesia may be required in the hospital.
If the animal experiences unbearable pain, an anesthetic injection should be given. It will help to partially get rid of puffiness. Also, the joint can be treated with a special gel.
Take the cat to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible for further examination by an orthopedist. An x-ray should be taken. If the situation is difficult, then surgery may be required.

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

How should a dislocation be treated in cats?

There are two types of treatment.

Closed(conservative). A dislocation in a cat is eliminated under general anesthesia. All you need to do is inject painkillers and muscle relaxers. After this type of treatment, a follow-up x-ray should be taken to make sure that the bones are in the correct position in the joints.

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

After conservative or operative 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:

With the help of special knitting needles. They are used if the dislocation has occurred in the hip or carpal region.

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

Ensuring the immobility of damaged areas is not used in case of timely assistance and with minor bruises. Treatment of congenital dislocations is carried out only surgically. If trouble has already happened, do not waste time in vain and rush to consult a specialist.

One of the troubles that happen to domestic cats is a dislocation or subluxation of the jaw. In young animals, a similar pathology is caused by injuries or imprudent movements. Despite the myth about the dexterity of cats, these domestic animals quite often fall from low pieces of furniture, and at this time their body does not have time to turn around in two axes - as when falling from a significant height, then the cats land only on their paws. In this case, they often receive craniocerebral injuries.

Also, cats hit their heads on hard objects, carried away during games, open their mouths too wide in order to swallow a large piece of solid food.

In dilapidated cats, the ligaments of the jaw are weakened and the lower jaw, which has the shape of a horseshoe, is displaced. The articular head of the temporal bone slips and moves beyond the articular tubercle, and a dislocation of the lower jaw is obtained.

How to set the cat's jaws and is it allowed to cope with this task on your own?

Symptoms and Diagnosis

If the cat has had contact with street animals or he is a mouser, the first thing to do is take the animal to the veterinarian.

Trauma symptoms:

partially or completely open mouth;
displacement of the lower jaw forward or to the side;
deviation of the chin from the axis;
displacement of the coronoid process, and as a result, exophthalmia - clouding of the cornea and bulging eyes caused by the collection of fluid behind the organ of vision;
salivation;
protrusion of the tongue.

In some cases, bleeding can be monitored, but very rarely. Only an expert can differentiate a dislocation or subluxation by clinical signs - from foreign bodies stuck between the teeth or paralysis of the lower jaw.

The last sign is inherent in a terrible disease that is contagious to humans - rabies. During this disease, the mouth is easily allowed to close with the hands. It is imperative that before you set the cat's jaw, a full examination of the oral cavity is carried out.

Animal treatment

For a cat and a dog - in dogs this injury also happens often - a dislocation of the lower jaw is reduced according to one algorithm:

Be sure to inject painkillers and antipsychotics into the area of the submandibular nerves;

A stick, up to 2 cm thick, is inserted between the teeth and inserted between the radical teeth;

They capture the ends of the jaw, bring them as close as possible to each other, but at the same time the lower jaw is retracted. They abruptly release and take out the stick - a classic click should be heard when the bite is restored;

When moving towards the coronoid process, you need to press the jaw from the side with your hand to return it to the midline.

If the dislocation is not provoked by a fracture of the articular process, then no further treatment is required. In cats, it is possible to manually try to correct the articular displacement by pressing on the coronoid process, it should be moved down and back. In order to perform this operation, you must have a certain skill.

special condition

How can an aging animal correct a dislocated jaw independently? It is physically unrealistic to carry a cat continuously to a veterinary hospital - the displacement of the joints regarding their location due to the development of dysplasia occurs several times a day, as soon as the cat yawns.

Usually dislocation in this case is one-sided, the mouth closes by about 60%. Examination in this state and differentiation of rabies is not required - the diagnosis is already made and clarified.

In this case, the owners are advised to do so.

If the subluxation is fresh and happened naturally in their presence, the edema has not developed in time, and the muscles are relaxed, then the mouth is pulled from below by the lower jaw and the articular heads are easily inserted into the articular cavities.

The second option is more painful for the cat, because it is carried out without anesthesia, but it is unthinkable to do without it if the muscles have already tightened up. It is already possible to insert a tourniquet from a towel into the mouth and then carry out the above manipulations.

If the animal is "regret", then it will not be able to live typically - with a half-opened mouth, food
swallowed, and this has a detrimental effect on the state of the digestive organs. The cat is not so hurt that he will go into shock. With a habitual dislocation, the ligaments are so relaxed that the jaw moves more freely.

It is possible to cure a familiar dislocation in pets only by surgery, but the fact that surgical tying is carried out under anesthesia, the owners of aging animals are afraid for their pets - the cardiovascular and urinary systems can be seriously affected. Consequently, owners are trained to provide assistance to cats independently. An animal under the age of 6-8 years can be operated on without fear for the general condition - of course, taking into account the clinical picture.

Your own veterinarian

Interestingly, in most cases, animals solve the problem on their own. With relaxed ligaments, they themselves are able to help themselves with their paws and set the shifted jaw.

Of course, cats are not able to cope with complicated bilateral dislocations with a fracture of the articular process, but they can correct subluxations after 2-3 repetitions. It is consequently that street animals do not walk with their mouths half open, although similar injuries are typical for mammals of this species.

Prevention of dislocation and subluxation in pets

It is impossible to explain to a cat or dog the rules of behavior: do not yawn extensively and do not swallow large pieces. However, the owners are able to reduce the load on the pet's lower jaw. Toys are left only with small ones, food is cut into slices - it is even allowed to chop it with shabby animals.

And you need to completely abandon dry food and switch to soft food for aging animals with an increased number of vitamins and mineral salts.

Nutrition must be carefully selected, if the pet was previously fed with dry food, then you should first pass a urine review so that an increase in the amount of calcium in food does not provoke urolithiasis.

Do not forget that for advice regarding the diagnosis and method of treatment, you need to contact your veterinarian! Health and excellent mood to your pet!

A dislocation is a displacement of the ends of bones. In most cases, the owner immediately notices that something is wrong with the pet - the cat is in pain, moves strangely, and avoids communication. But in some cases, for example, if there is congenital in cats (dysplasia), the pathology goes unnoticed for a long time, and in the meantime the situation worsens.

There are complete and incomplete dislocations (subluxation), which depends on the degree of displacement of the bones relative to the joint. According to the degree of complexity, a dislocation in a cat can be open and closed. In the first case, the protruding end of the bone injures adjacent tissues - nerves, blood vessels, tendons, muscles, skin. Closed dislocations are more difficult to detect, since the adjacent tissues remain intact - in this case, the diagnosis can only be determined by the results of an X-ray examination.

INJURIES- the main cause of dislocation. As a rule, the displacement of the bones does not occur at the site of physical impact, but remotely. For example, a dislocated jaw in a cat may be the result of a blow to the back of the head. For kittens and young pets, it is not uncommon for the so-called "pull dislocation" - the result of inept or rough handling. For example, a dislocation of a paw in a cat happens at the moment when the pet is about to run away from an annoying child, and the kid deftly caught the escaping cat by the paw: a jerk - the bone comes out of the joint. By the same principle, a “pull” dislocation occurs if the owner picks up the kitten from the floor, holding it by the front paws. Or he pulls the kitten towards him, dragging him by the hind limbs - dislocation of the cat's hind paw in this case is often complete, with displacement, damage to adjacent tissues.

CHRONIC DISEASES are the cause of the so-called. spontaneous dislocations. As a result of the disease, the articular tissue or the articular ends of the bones are destroyed - a long, sometimes imperceptible process. Then, quite 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 effort to get the bone out of the joint, such as dislocating a cat's jaw while eating or yawning. Paralytic dislocations are a consequence of paresis or paralysis of adjacent muscles.

Dislocation of a joint in a pet is a displacement of the relative position of the bones without compromising their integrity. It is accompanied by damage to the soft tissues surrounding the joint: ligaments, capsule, tendons of the nearest muscles, blood vessels are torn. Congenital subluxations and dislocations are the result of an abnormal structure of the joint. They are recognized at an older age by cats, often quite by accident.

You can suspect a dislocation of the joint by the following symptoms:

Lameness (with congenital dislocation).
Unnatural position, swelling of the limb on which the animal cannot lean (with traumatic dislocation).
A careful examination allows the owner to notice swelling, asymmetry and deformation of the contours of the damaged joint, misalignment of the teeth in case of damage to the lower jaw.

If you suspect that your cat has dislocated a joint, you should not attempt to reset it yourself. You need to call a veterinary ambulance or go to the clinic. Before the examination, you can not touch the injured limb, it is advisable to give the animal an anesthetic and apply a cold compress.

Dense fibrous connective tissue, consisting of many fibers, is almost always in "tension" (stretched state). The following types of ligaments are distinguished in the body of an animal:

Strengthening - envelop the joint from the front side, limit the angle of flexion of the joint.

Inhibitory - connect the bones from the back of the joint, limit the angle of extension of the limb.

Guides - set the amplitude and angle of movement of the joint.

Fixing - hold the internal organs in a physiologically correct position.

Speaking of stretching, we mean injuries to the ligaments of the articular capsules of the extremities. The ligaments that hold the internal organs are also stretched, for example, when falling from a great height and hitting the ground. Connective tissues are literally permeated with nerve endings, so the violation of the integrity of the ligaments is always associated with severe pain.

For convenience, ligament injuries have been conventionally divided into sprains and ruptures. However, in both cases, the pain is associated with rupture of the fibers, in the first case, the damage is partial, in the second, the ligament is completely separated. With a favorable combination of circumstances and timely assistance, fibrous tissue grows together quickly and without medical intervention. The worst-case scenario is soft tissue hemorrhage due to an increase in local pressure.

Causes of dislocation

A fracture is a violation of the anatomical integrity of the bone and adjacent tissues in it. It can be acquired or congenital and occur under the influence of external effort or pathology, respectively.

If we talk about congenital pathologies of the bone structure, then they are diagnosed only 1-2% of the total number of visits to veterinary clinics with fractures. The reasons for the birth of kittens with fractures of the limbs are intensive labor activity of the label, osteoporosis, rickets, osteomalacia in the expectant mother.

Veterinarians distinguish between two types of acquired bone injuries, based on the cause of their occurrence: pathological and traumatic. The first group includes fractures due to osteosarcoma, osteomalacia, etc.

Traumatic fractures occur not only due to various injuries resulting from a fall from a height, falling under the wheels of a car, a fight with an opponent, but also during unprofessional obstetric care.

Unlike a fracture, a dislocation is a violation of the anatomical location and a change in the physiological functions of the joint. The bone remains intact. Dislocations are also divided into two categories: acquired and congenital. The causes of dislocations are similar to fractures.

Not a single animal is immune from acquired dislocations and fractures. Breeds such as Persians, Maine Coons, Himalayan cats are predisposed to congenital pathologies of the joints.

INJURY is the main cause of dislocation. As a rule, the displacement of the bones does not occur at the site of physical impact, but remotely. For example, a dislocated jaw in a cat may be the result of a blow to the back of the head. For kittens and young pets, it is not uncommon for the so-called "pull dislocation" - the result of inept or rough handling.

For example, a dislocation of a paw in a cat happens at the moment when the pet is about to run away from an annoying child, and the kid deftly caught the escaping cat by the paw: a jerk - the bone comes out of the joint. By the same principle, a “pull” dislocation occurs if the owner picks up the kitten from the floor, holding it by the front paws.

CHRONIC DISEASES are the cause of the so-called. spontaneous dislocations. As a result of the disease, the articular tissue or the articular ends of the bones are destroyed - a long, sometimes imperceptible process. Then, quite 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.

The most common cause of hip dislocation is serious mechanical injury. They do not always act directly on the joint, but the destruction of its capsule and ruptures of the supporting muscles will not add health to the cat either. In this case, the load on the round ligament increases sharply, and the body can not always cope with this. A dislocation occurs, which in this case refers to the exit of the femoral head from the acetabulum.

So, if a cat gets hit by a bike or falls from a balcony, the shock-absorbing systems of the body cannot cope with critical loads, as a result of which the joint is destroyed with a simultaneous rupture of the round ligament (which is the worst, it is difficult to restore it). But these are not all reasons.

The practical experience of the world's leading veterinary clinics clearly shows that almost all purebred cats are more or less susceptible to hip dysplasia. This situation is aggravated by poor selection work, which is why many sick animals are actively used for reproduction, passing defective genes to their descendants.

Often, cats get injured far from home, so they arrive “at home” in not the best condition. The animal jumps on three legs, the injured limb is tucked inward or even dangles, traces of injury may be visible on the pet’s skin, due to which the dislocation occurred. The cat is in severe pain and can literally "scream" from it.

In especially severe cases, injuries are so serious that the cat's leg is supported only by muscles. It is very easy to find out about this - in such situations, the cat's paw can literally "rotate", being bent inward or outward. It looks very unpleasant, and often indicates the complete destruction of both the head of the femur and the acetabulum.

How is the diagnosis made? It is very simple, since clinical signs and data from a simple external examination are enough for this. But at the same time, you often have to use general anesthesia, because due to the severe pain experienced by the cat, he will definitely not sit still. In addition, in severe cases of dislocation, the wound is full of bone fragments and bone dust, so an x-ray is definitely needed to establish the extent of the consequences of the dislocation.

A diagnostic x-ray will also show the direction of the dislocation and also help determine the presence of concomitant fractures.

In addition, if the cat has severe wounds or other similar injuries, they are treated first so that the animal's condition is completely stabilized. In other cases, it is simply dangerous to carry out an operation to eliminate the consequences of a dislocation, since the pet's body may not survive it.

Dislocation symptoms

With fractures and dislocations, the animal has common clinical signs: pain, impaired motor function (lameness), swelling of the damaged area.

Fractures are of three types - closed, open, with displacement. Cracks are also serious damage.

Signs of an open fracture in a cat:

violation of the integrity of the skin;
the bone is broken, its ends are displaced and come out;
tissue rupture in the fracture area;
bleeding;
strong pain.

For a closed fracture without displacement, the following symptoms are characteristic: the broken bone is in its usual position, the skin and tissues swell, turn blue, redden. In a displaced fracture, the bone diverges in different directions, the soft tissues are partially damaged. There is a risk of internal bleeding.

A crack can be easily confused with a bruise. The bone remains intact, its edges do not diverge and are held by an intact area. The cat can move cautiously, while she experiences pain.

A simple dislocation is recognized by the following signs:

skin and tissues remain intact;
lameness;
inability to lean on the surface;
pain when touching an injured limb;
the dislocated part of the body is asymmetrical.

For complex dislocation, accompanied by rupture of ligaments and tendons, the appearance of hematomas in the injured area is characteristic.

Clinical signs and diagnosis

The fact that the pet was injured is immediately visible, but an appeal to the veterinary clinic is necessary. After examining the pet and conducting a series of diagnostic studies, the veterinarian will determine the degree of damage and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

The necessary diagnostic methods include general and biochemical blood tests, x-rays in two projections, echocardiography of the heart. In some cases, an abdominal ultrasound is required.

Microtrauma to the fibers causes severe pain, but if the cat moves the limb in an acceptable amplitude or is at rest, the discomfort is significantly reduced. From external signs it is noted:

Decrease in activity, the animal sleeps more.

Appetite decreases, but does not disappear. For example, an awakened pet will eat well if you bring him a bowl to the sunbed.

In the context of limb sprain, lameness is observed.

An obvious sign is that the cat “throws” wool washing, which is why on the very first day the “fur coat” becomes disheveled and unkempt.

The nature of the pain is shooting. If the pet twitches and squints when stepping on a paw, it is logical to assume a sprain.

Another of your tasks is to exclude a more complex injury - a crack or fracture of the bone:

When stretched, the cat can sleep, if the bone tissue is disturbed, the animal worries, superficially dozes, but does not fully rest.

When stretched, the pet will be able to move his fingers, partially bend the damaged joint.

Feeling the paw, watch the reaction of the animal. Very gently press on the bone, if it is a fracture or a crack, you will understand everything by the violent reaction of the pet.

If you suspect bone damage, take your animal to the vet for a cast. It would be useful to provide first aid: fixing the limb with a rigid splint, cooling the injured area, painkillers (no more than 1/2 of the prescribed dose).

Dislocation treatment

Simple fractures are treated conservatively. These include anesthesia, elimination of pain shock. Immobilization with the help of splints and splints is used to restore the damaged bone. For pain relief, drugs such as Traumeel, Butomidor are used. Splints and braces are removed only after the veterinarian has given permission to do so.

With complex types of fractures, surgery is indispensable. Osteosynthesis involves the removal of small bone fragments and the reduction of large ones. Surgical intervention using fixing metal structures should be carried out immediately after diagnosing a fracture.

Pins, plates and spokes made of a special alloy with titanium remain in the animal's body for life.

The regeneration process will be accelerated by drugs that improve osteosynthesis, vitamin therapy, and physiotherapy.

If the cat has been diagnosed with a dislocation, then treatment includes anesthesia and reduction of the damaged limb, followed by the imposition of a fixing bandage. In severe cases, surgery is indicated.

As for the prognosis for fractures and dislocations, in most cases it is favorable. The only exceptions are spinal fractures with damage to the structure of the spinal cord. If a fracture occurs with a rupture of large vessels of the limb or peripheral nerves, then for the cat this ends with the loss of the limb.

Dislocations should not be underestimated: if the damage is not treated, it can subsequently lead to complex muscle deformities, destruction of the articular surfaces. As a result, the cat will limp for the rest of its life.

If your pet has a dislocated joint, it is important to urgently seek professional help and contact our clinic. We carry out all procedures in a modern operating room equipped with diagnostic equipment or we come to you with the necessary tools and medicines. Our veterinarians will do everything to alleviate the suffering of the animal, accompany him during treatment, monitor progress, and help him quickly return to active life.

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. No matter what the owner has encountered - a complex dislocation of the hip joint in cats or a banal dislocation of the finger - a veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible.

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 from jumping, climbing, etc.

Postoperative animal care

In the best case, the entire injury will be reduced to micro-ruptures of the ligament fibers and will not require specific treatment, you just need to provide the pet with peace and care. Connective tissues are quickly regenerated and your pet will recover in 2-3 days.

If you are "lucky" and the sprain is associated with a dislocation of the joint or a bone fracture, you will need the help of a doctor, and immediate help. The damaged bone is reduced, and a fixing bandage or plaster is applied to the limb. Your task is to monitor the general condition of the animal and the injured limb - swelling, temperature, activity level.

If the joint is left dislocated, a “false joint” will form, resulting in a cat with permanent lameness. Only in rare cases, when the damage is limited to uncomplicated dislocation, the latter can simply be set. But in such a situation, the likelihood of relapse is high, and therefore more often they resort to surgery.

As a rule, it is necessary to completely replace the femoral head with a synthetic implant. The earlier the operation is performed (no later than 72 hours from the moment of dislocation), the easier the postoperative period will be. At the end of the operation, the injured leg is “packed” into a tightening bandage that prevents the recurrence of the dislocation.

It is necessary to constantly monitor the behavior of the cat, which should be limited in movements as much as possible (it is better to put it in a small room or in a transport cage), it is necessary to check the condition of the sore leg and bandage. To stop the emerging pain, sedatives are prescribed. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and multivitamin complexes can be used to accelerate healing. If there is a possibility of infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.

The animal's mobility should be restricted for approximately two weeks (minimum). The duration of the postoperative period depends on the skill of the veterinary surgeon, the quality of treatment and nutrition, but in any case, it will be possible to speak of a complete recovery no earlier than six months after the operation.

At this time, the animal requires especially careful care. An injured leg should be examined daily by a veterinarian to ensure normal healing and to take timely action if something goes wrong. You need to feed the cat with high-quality, fresh food, preferably with the addition of vitamins. If this is not done, the treatment may be useless (relapse will occur or a false joint is formed).

FIRST AID FOR OPEN FRACTURES

Make an anesthetic injection.

Close the wound with sterile gauze pads.

Bandage.

Put on top and bandage the tire.

Contact your veterinarian immediately.

As you can see, you will have to learn how to give the cat injections. Don't worry, there's nothing complicated about it. Yes, I will explain the technology of this simple matter. Why does a cat need to be injected with painkillers for fractures and dislocations? Because any injury can lead to traumatic shock. This is the body's reaction to severe pain, and the state of traumatic shock is a serious danger.

Home care

If you have witnessed a cat being hit by a car or falling from a great height and you suspect a fracture, a splint should be placed on the injured paw. This procedure will immobilize the broken limb. A flat board can be used as a tire, or, in the absence of one, thick cardboard folded several times.

The tire must be applied in such a way as to be able to fix two joints close to the fracture from below and from above. The design should be wrapped with a bandage in several layers. After that, you need to take the victim to the veterinary clinic.

In case of open fractures, the wound is covered with sterile gauze napkins, a splint is placed on top.

If you are sure that the cat has a dislocation, then in no case should you try to straighten the damaged limb yourself! With your inexperienced actions and ignorance of feline anatomy, you can cause irreparable harm to your pet. Apply an ice pack to the injured limb, apply a tight fixative bandage and take the pet to the veterinary clinic.

To alleviate the condition of the cat and save it from traumatic shock, many owners inject painkillers into the animal. However, veterinarians do not advise doing this at home. Without feeling pain, a cat can cause even more harm to itself.

In addition, analgesics distort the symptoms of trauma. Finally, sedation will be mandatory during an X-ray examination, and the preliminary giving of an anesthetic will negatively affect the health of a pet.

The animal should be transported to the veterinary clinic lying down in the back seat of the car. The pet should be placed on a horizontal surface - plywood, a board, a panel from a car - and fixed in the area of the shoulder blades and pelvis with a rope or belt.

The task of the owner is to provide the pet with the most comfortable conditions during the treatment of fractures. The mobility of a cat can negatively affect her well-being, so freedom of movement should be limited. The ideal option would be to place the animal in a cage for 2-3 weeks.

This design should be free enough, but at the same time not allowing the pet to move a lot. In the cage you need to put a tray, bowls of food and water.

Prevention measures

Of course, you won't always be able to control your pet to keep it from getting run over by a car or falling out of a window. However, no one cancels the observance of elementary safety rules. Make sure that the cat does not climb tall trees, close windows and vents during your absence.

Check your pet for injuries after each walk. If you suspect a fracture or dislocation, contact your veterinarian immediately.