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

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

In cats, jaw fractures are a direct consequence of severe mechanical trauma.. Rarely, self-damage is possible. When a cat tries to gnaw at a particularly “appetizing” meat bone, its jaws may not withstand such serious loads that are not provided for by nature. As a rule, the lower jaw breaks: its bones are quite thin and fragile, so that a particularly strong impact is not required. However, fractures do not always happen: often the thinnest “hairy” cracks appear on the bone tissue, sometimes the cat’s jaw can undergo crushing. Whatever the case, a cat with a broken jaw will sit with its jaw dropped, 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 often die from pain shock when they receive such an injury.

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

Below we present the most common symptoms of fractures both upper and lower jaws. Note that trauma to the mandible is almost always highly visible and obvious, while damage to the palate may go unnoticed for a long time. At the same time, the cat may be bad, but still there, 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 soft tissues near the oral cavity.
Bleeding from the mouth.
You can see wounds in the cat's mouth.
Hypersalivation, that is, excessive salivation.
"Disproportion" and asymmetry of the jaw.
The mouth of the animal hangs down, 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 more detail.

Favorable

When the jaw remains relatively normal, does not hang and is not rolled to one side, the fracture can be considered "favorable". Damage to the upper jaw is often considered such (do not forget that they are still extremely dangerous). Perhaps even the simplest treatment at home will help. Of course, if the owner of the cat has at least basic veterinary skills, he knows how to apply tight bandages and plaster.

Adverse

If the fracture caused the jaw to move, it can be considered unfavorable. In particular, chewing muscles are often torn with such injuries. If the damage additionally passed through the symphysis, the pet's mouth sags strongly 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.

Major predisposing factors

Fractures of the upper and lower jaws in cats are quite common. As we have said, they are usually caused by trauma. These include the following influences (but this list is far from complete):

Hit by a car or bicycle.
Fights with other animals.
Falls from great heights. The latter is a particularly frequent outcome of the “March Games” for cats.

The video below tells the fate of the kitten, more precisely, the process of rescuing it after receiving a serious fracture of the jaw is described. The cause of the injury was another common "factor" - a person.

If the immediate cause is not trauma, things can get worse:

Tooth destruction.
Metabolic disease.
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 complete destruction of bone tissue.

The process of diagnosing jaw fractures

So, the conclusion is simple - no matter what kind of jaw fracture, the affected animal should be immediately taken to the veterinarian. To accurately diagnose, he can use one of the following methods. We emphasize once again that jaw fractures - an extremely painful injury. To conduct even the simplest examination, the animal must be administered sufficiently powerful sedatives, otherwise it may die from pain shock. This is especially important when examining a broken jaw in a kitten.

visual study

The most obvious and simple method. It is important to examine the jaws of the animal and understand how deep the wound channel is and what can be done to endow the pet's condition. Given that fractures of the jaws often form thin and sharp fragments, it is not surprising that after an injury, their pieces pierce the skin and are clearly visible to the naked eye.

Before carrying out any further studies, you need to make sure that the condition of the animal is stable. If the fracture is the result of 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. For this, the veterinarian will conduct an x-ray examination of the affected area. If the condition of the animal inspires concern, or the case is complex, an MRI will not interfere. Only after collecting all the diagnostic information can it be determined which therapeutic strategy should be chosen.

Therapeutic methods

Methods directly depend on the specific type of fracture. Consider the most common and effective methods of treatment.

External immobilization

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

External skeletal fixation

The jaw is held in one place with the help of externally applied plates, which, in turn, are held 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, all the same metal plates and bolts are inserted during the surgical operation. Unlike the previous technique, the implants remain in the animal's body throughout its subsequent life. The advantage of the technique is simpler postoperative care. This operation is often used for elimination of the consequences of damage to the symphysis.

Interosseous or interfragmentary "wiring"

A long, thin "wire" is inserted through the mandible but remains under the tongue and is then passed out 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, when eliminating consequences of severe fractures complicated by the formation of large bone fragments.

Fixation of the palatine bones

To prevent mixing of the split sections of the palatine bones, they must be rigidly fixed by screwing to each other. It is not difficult to guess that this technique is used when upper jaw fractures. The advantage of this method is the possibility of self-feeding of the animal during the entire period of treatment. Of course, the cat should eat only soft, pureed food.

Fastening of 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 total mandibulectomy

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

How to care for a recovering animal?

If the veterinarian has confirmed that it is possible to give food to the animal in a natural way, within two to three days after the pet returns from the clinic, you need to “spoil” him only with soft, well-cooked foods. Sedatives are often prescribed to facilitate the recovery process of the pet: 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, powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics are indispensable. You should also limit the activity of the pet and not "provoke" him to play. Complete peace of mind is especially important for those animals in whom the area of external implant attachment does not heal well.

Please note that if there are external “fixators”, they must be regularly cleaned from the remnants of adhering food and other contaminants, otherwise inflammatory reactions may develop.

It is advisable to use not plain water, but solutions of disinfectants. Note that even after the fracture has healed and the fixing devices have been removed, the cat is unlikely to return to normal immediately. Various "side effects" are possible:

Misalignment of teeth leading to malocclusion.
Poor jaw function (the cat cannot chew normally).
Incomplete bone healing, inflammation and pain.
Absence of teeth.
Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the jawbone).
Periodontitis.

If the animal was fully cared for, a full recovery occurs, as a rule, within five weeks.

Mobile and active pets are often subjected to various kinds of injuries of the musculoskeletal system. A dislocation is a violation of the anatomical location and a change in the physiological function of the joint. The main symptom of the disease is various kinds of lameness and loss of the supporting function of the damaged limb. The most dangerous consequences for a fluffy pet is a dislocation 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 impaired joint integrity. Congenital dislocations are usually the result of a genetic predisposition and are most often diagnosed as impaired mobility (dysplasia) of the hip, elbow and carpal joints.

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

The cause of acquired dislocations in pets is most often injuries of various kinds. In this case, the mechanical effect can be not only in the joint area.

For example, with a bruise or injury to the occipital bone, a cat has a dislocation of the jaw.

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

Most often, the cause of dislocation in fluffy fidgets is: falling from a height, unsuccessful attempts to climb and climb down from a tree, fights with relatives and other animals, and a stuck paw. Quite often, a violation of the function occurs when a car hits an animal.

The cause of dislocations of various joints can also be chronic diseases, as a result of which the destruction of the articular and bone tissue (, osteoporosis, osteomalacia). In a separate group, experts include paralytic dislocations with the development of severe convulsions, paralysis, paresis.

Types of dislocations in a cat

Pathology from the side of the joint is a displacement of the bones forming the organ from its anatomical position. In this case, damage to soft tissues, blood vessels, ligamentous apparatus, adjacent tendons occurs.

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.

In the event that, when the joint is damaged, there is no violation of the integrity of the skin, then experts speak of a simple dislocation. Complicated is the pathology, accompanied by intra-articular fractures, ruptures of ligaments, tendons.

Symptoms of dislocation in a cat

Suspecting an attentive owner of a traumatic joint injury is not so difficult. As a rule, the termination of the supporting function of the injured limb is observed in the animal. The cat does not step on the injured paw, keeps it on weight. If an injury to the masticatory joint is suspected, misalignment of the teeth in the anterior and lower jaw may be observed.

hip joint

Damage to such a complex joint is, as a rule, the result of a load on the round ligament, and is accompanied by the exit of the femoral head from the anatomical (acetabular) cavity 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 to the body.

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

However, these symptoms are typical for a complete dislocation. Incomplete joint damage is more often asymptomatic in a cat and is detected only during an X-ray examination.

Congenital dysplasia manifests itself in the form of permanent lameness. Musculoskeletal dysfunction is most commonly seen in pedigreed felines and is associated with the inheritance of defective genes.

Front or back paw

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

tail

Cats often get tail injuries during fights with relatives and enemies, hitting vehicles. Even the most caring owner can accidentally step on a limb or pinch it in the doorway.

Such factors often lead to dislocation of the tail 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.

Provision of emergency assistance by the owner

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

Immobilize the injured limb. To immobilize the joint, boards, a short ruler are suitable.
Place the animal in a limited space: box, carrier, basket. The cat should be kept still. Do not touch the sore paw, causing discomfort to the pet.

In the first half hour, it is effective to apply a cold object to the injury site. For these purposes, something from the freezer is wrapped in a towel. The cold acts as a pain reliever and reduces swelling when the joint is injured.
When the dislocation is reduced, the animal is usually put into a narcotic sleep, so it is better not to feed the pet before visiting the clinic.

The task of the owner is the immediate delivery of the injured cat to a specialized institution. Delay threatens scarring of damaged tissues and the lack of the possibility of reduction.

Diagnosis of the problem in the clinic

When examining a fluffy patient, a veterinarian will ask about the nature of the injury and feel the damaged joint. The most reliable way to diagnose damage to the musculoskeletal system is an X-ray examination.

X-ray of dislocation of the hip joint on the left

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

Dislocation reduction in the hospital

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

In order to verify the success of the procedure, the reduced limb is flexed and unbent, rotational movements are carried out with the paw (take it inward and to the side).

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

Reduction of a dislocated jaw in cats

Dislocation of the jaw is reduced by applying a stick across the mouth. A successful manipulation is characterized by a click of the articular head of the jaw. After repositioning, the cat is given a sparing diet of wet food.

In the event that a pathology of the hip joint is found in a pet, veterinary specialists use surgical knitting needles. For dislocations of the upper and lower extremities, wire and screws are used.

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

Surgery as the only option in a neglected case

Often a fluffy patient gets to the veterinarian too late, when a lot of time has passed, the articular tissues have healed. With the development of contracture in a specialized clinic, the animal is subjected to arthrodesis (bone fusion) or joint resection.

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

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

Dislocation of the joint in pets is not such a rare occurrence. The owner should understand the need to urgently seek professional help and not make independent attempts to reposition the joint. Effective treatment of congenital and chronic dislocations is possible only by surgery.

Useful video

For surgical treatment of hip dislocation in a cat, see this video:

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

Why do dislocations happen?

In order for a dislocation of a healthy joint to occur, considerable effort is required, and most often in dogs, there are dislocations as a result of various injuries.

car injury;
game injury;
falling limbs into pits;
stuck limb during movement;
falling from a great height;
collision with an obstacle at high speed.

What does a dislocation look like?

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

Diagnosis of dislocation

Congenital dislocations and subluxations develop as a result of a genetic defect in the abnormal structure of the joint. 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 of the hip, elbow, in cats - the jaw and carpal joints.

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

A characteristic symptom is an elastic ("rubber") fixation of the joint, which normally works like a lubricated hinge. You can still feel the friction of bone on bone, grinding, clicking, 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 condition of the animal.
Before visiting the doctor, try to immobilize the animal and the injured limb - place it in a cage, box, carrying.
It is necessary to avoid using a sick paw, do not knead, do not shift once again and do not disturb the cat.
Place ice on the injured limb for 20-30 minutes, or something from the freezer, previously wrapped in a towel.
Do not force feed or water the animal - anesthesia may be needed.
If your pet is in a lot of pain - give an injection of "Travmatin", it will anesthetize and partially relieve swelling (used for bruises and dislocations, an extensive area of application), and treat the joint with the drug "Trauma-gel"
As soon as possible, take the cat to the clinic, where there is an orthopedist, 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, tissues will begin to scar, and the cat will be guaranteed an operation. The more time passes since the 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 a surgical operation for arthrodesis (complete fixation of the joint) or to resection (removal) of a part of the bone to relieve the animal of pain.

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

Treatment of dislocation in cats.

Basically, there are two types of treatment - conservative (closed) and operative (open).

Conservative reduction - the dislocation is reduced under general anesthesia - good anesthesia and muscle relaxation are required. After such treatment, a control radiographic examination is performed in order to verify the correct position of the bones in the joint.
Operative reduction is done when it is impossible to close. In this case, an incision is made on the joint, blood clots and destroyed fragments of the joint are removed from its cavity. After that, 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, bandages or splints are used.

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

special knitting needles - needed for dislocations of the hip or carpal joints,
screws and wire for dislocation of the elbow and ankle joints.
with a dislocation of the lower one, it sometimes takes 5-10 days to sew up the mouth of the animal. It's cruel, but there's nothing you can do about it.

In rare cases, with timely reduction and minor damage to soft tissues, immobilization is not needed.

Treatment of congenital dislocations is usually much more complicated than traumatic and almost always surgical. Although congenital patellar luxation in toy breed dogs may not require treatment at all.

We hope you will never need this information. If trouble happened and your pet got sick - do not waste precious time on correspondence and consultations on 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, 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 hurry for advice from a specialist.

Cats often fall from a height and get injured in the process. Many ordinary people tend to consider a fracture of a limb the most “terrible” of such injuries, but in fact, fractures in cats are well treated, and the animal has every chance to fully recover.

True, fractures are also different. For example, an animal can get an intra-articular fracture, in which the crack runs along the surface of the "hinge" of the joint.

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

Most injuries are accompanied by severe pain in the cat. The owner can independently reduce it by using analgesic therapy.

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

In extreme cases, you can make an injection of analgin by injecting 0.4 ml intramuscularly (dose for an average cat).

Dislocation of the lower jaw can occur due to screaming, violent yawning, while eating or vomiting, that is, at those moments when the mouth opens sharply and widely (trying to bite off too much of a piece of food can also cause jaw dislocation.). Bad habits of opening bottles or packages with your teeth can also be harmful, straining your jaw unnecessarily.

It is not uncommon for it to be damaged by a strong blow. Professional athletes - wrestlers and boxers - face dislocation of the lower jaw.

You can cause a displacement of the articular head by biting too hard and tough food, for example, a nutshell. To protect the jaw from damage, you should avoid too sudden and rapid movements during yawning and chewing.

Dislocation of the lower jaw can also be non-traumatic. For example, some diseases, including rheumatism, gout, osteomyelitis, polio, arthritis, or arthrosis, cause ligaments to relax, resulting in a decrease in the height of the joint, 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, a dislocation of the jaw occurs in them much more often than in men.

The reason for the fracture of the jaw bones in cats is the relative fragility and mobility of the lower jaw. A fracture of the maxillary bones is rarely diagnosed in fluffy pets.

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

profuse salivation;
the upper and lower jaws do not take an anatomical position;
bleeding from the nasal and oral cavity with an open fracture;
protruding bone fragments with open injuries;
the cat cannot close its mouth on its own;
refusal to feed, difficulty in eating and drinking; with a unilateral fracture, the appetite is not disturbed, but the animal is not able to chew food;
if the hard palate is damaged, the cat sneezes, eaten food flies out of the nostrils;
deformation, asymmetry of the jaw during visual examination;
palpation reveals severe pain, 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 with a bandage. Such manipulation will reduce pain and prevent the displacement of damaged bone fragments.

The healing time of a 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 organism.

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 tissue.

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

Jaw fractures are common in cats. The owner needs to understand the importance of urgently seeking qualified help. Effective treatment is possible only with professional surgical intervention. 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, 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.

The work of the joint can be compared with a mechanism of two gears, and dislocation, with the absence of several "teeth" or breakage. Dislocation of the joint - a violation of the conformity and integrity of the articular surfaces of the bones.

Classification of dislocations

Congenital - a violation occurs in the womb and the puppy is born with a pathology. If the puppy is viable, supportive 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 against the background of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, thinning of bone and cartilage tissues.

Traumatic - received as a result of a blow, fall, difficulties in childbirth (in puppies).

"Usual" - once stretched ligaments and muscles can weakly support the joint, which causes repeated dislocations during stress.

Complicated - displacement of the bone touches vital vessels or nerve endings.

Unreduced - all types of chronic dislocations or in the case of the formation of new tissues between the articular heads.

Fresh - less than 3 days have passed from the moment of injury to discovery.

Stale - dislocation 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 articular "bag", displacement of the bone.

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

Ignoring treatment is fraught with negative consequences for several reasons:

An injured dog is in pain, which may be accompanied by disobedience or aggression.

The joint will recover in any case, however, an unfixed limb may grow together incorrectly, which will disrupt the animal's pace of life.

How to identify a broken paw in a dog? If it's a paw fracture (front or back)—which is the most common type of fracture in dogs—you'll be able to observe the following symptoms of a fracture:

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

In our article, we mainly considered the actions of the 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 forelimbs or hind limbs.

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

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

“Fractured fingers” are commonly referred to by owners as fractures of all the “small” bones of the hand and foot in dogs – that is, this group includes fractures of the bones of the carpus and tarsus, metacarpus and metatarsus, as well as the small bones that make up the fingers.

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

Sometimes these fractures happen as a result of a car accident.

Symptoms of such fractures are usually either a complete inability to step on the paw or a 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 I do if my dog has a broken toe? You need to take her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Surgical treatment (osteosynthesis) is required in case of fractures of the bones of the carpus and tarsus, sometimes used for fractures of the bones of the metacarpus and metatarsus (more often if all bones are broken or the dog weighs more than 35 kg), and very rarely used for fractures of the bones of the fingers - fixation with a bandage is usually required and restriction of mobility for 1-1.5 months.

In any case, it is necessary to consult a doctor and x-ray.

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

Also, broken ribs can cause pneumothorax (a dangerous accumulation of air in the chest) or a lung injury with bleeding. Rib fractures in dogs are usually caused by car accidents or fights with large dogs.

The characteristic symptoms of a rib fracture in a dog are wounds in the chest area (this area can hurt), a violation of the symmetry of the chest, shortness of breath, breathing with an open mouth.

Usually, all serious changes - accumulation of air in the chest, bleeding into the chest - proceed imperceptibly at first, therefore, in case of any injury to the chest (especially if bite marks between the ribs are visible), it is necessary to show the dog to the 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. A fracture usually occurs when a dog or puppy's tail is 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 are displaced significantly and the main artery or nerve supplying the tail is torn), these fractures in dogs and puppies are very easy to treat.

If the injury to the tail is severe and the nutrition of the tail below the fracture is disturbed, the tail, unfortunately, has to be amputated just above the fracture. If the fracture is not significantly displaced, just external fixation for a period of about 4 weeks is enough 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;
from below - with the handle of the sternum;
in front - the thyroid gland;
behind - the bodies of the cervical vertebrae;
on the sides - sternocleidomastoid muscles.

With a light impact, due to the anatomical mobility, it is able to absorb pressure and move. Therefore, injuries of a different nature, causing serious damage to the health and life of the victim, are usually obtained in extreme situations.

Among the random factors leading to trauma to the larynx, we can distinguish:

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

External injuries of the larynx most often occur due to:

direct blows to the neck (fist, leg, heavy object);
impacts on a protruding surface (on the steering wheel of a car, on a railing);
injuries of a different nature;
hanging.

Internal injuries of the larynx may be due to:

ingress of a foreign body with sharp edges;
inaccurate intubation, bronchoscopy or mechanical ventilation;
removal of a foreign body (and 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;
swallowing 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 with a bone fragment. If the fracture occurred through the dentition, then it is referred to as an open form. A closed fracture does not lead to a violation of the integrity of the skin.

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

According to the shape of bone damage, specialists distinguish between transverse, oblique and helical fractures. In 60% of cases, cats are diagnosed with a transverse fracture of the mandible, passing along the mid-sagittal line. Trauma to the jawbone can also be unilateral or bilateral.

The diagnosis, determination of the type and shape of the fracture, the veterinarian puts on the basis of examination and X-ray examination.

Inspection

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

During a clinical examination, a specialist by palpation will determine not only swelling and soreness, but also abnormal mobility of a fragment of the lower jaw, crepitus of a bone fragment, and a crunch. If necessary (breathing problems), the doctor may intubate the trachea.

radiograph

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

It is possible to establish the presence and type of injury to the larynx with the naked eye, but the degree of its severity is revealed in the process of a more detailed study. To make an accurate diagnosis, the traumatologist needs to assess how the larynx performs its respiratory function. To do this, pay attention to the following:

depth of inhalation and exhalation;
frequency of respiratory movements;
rhythmic respiratory contractions;
the difference in the circumference of the chest during inhalation and during exhalation (excursion);
shortness of breath (difficulty inhaling or exhaling);
bluish mucous membranes;
heart failure.

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

stop bleeding;
restoration of breathing;
elimination of shock;
ensuring normal airway patency.

Before the arrival of doctors, complete rest should be ensured, the victim should not be allowed to speak and allowed to suck on a piece of ice.

The victim should be fixed in a prone position with a slightly raised head and an immobilized neck. Oxygen supply can be done through mask therapy. If there is asphyxia, then a tracheotomy is possible.

When transporting, it is important to fix the patient's tongue in such a way as to prevent it from sinking and blocking the airways.

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 exclude complications.

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

Symptoms

There are several main symptoms of dislocation of the patella:

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

The main method of treatment is surgery. Doctors, during the operation, remove part of the spongy 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 the pet and for a long time after the operation, to refrain from heavy exertion.

Young individuals tolerate the operation much easier. If you do not turn to the veterinarian with a small puppy in time, then over time, when the dog grows, the ligament may even break.

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 a dislocation of traumatic origin;
clicks, grinding in the joint, sensation of bone rubbing against bone.

A characteristic sign of dislocation in a dog will be elastic, as if rubber 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 distortion of the lower jaw relative to the norm, speech difficulties, severe salivation and sharp pain in the lower jaw, radiating to the temple.

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

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

Outwardly noticeable changes in the position of the lower jaw. It can be pushed forward or skewed.

It is possible to diagnose a dislocation of the jaw with an external examination, but in order to differentiate it from a fracture, an X-ray examination is necessary.

It will not be possible to straighten the jaw with a dislocation on its own. It is necessary to contact specialists as soon as possible. However, as a first aid, cover the patient's mouth 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 spring-open, the chin protrudes forward and springy
bite of teeth is impossible
saliva is secreted
speech is difficult
cheeks are flattened
anterior to the tragus - deep fossa
the articular head of the lower jaw is palpable under the zygomatic arch, and chewing muscles protrude under it with rollers

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 latter circumstance is important, since when the articular processes are fractured, the chin is deviated towards the fracture.

The reduction of bilateral dislocation of the lower jaw is easy and without anesthesia. Its principle is to hold the head stuck in front of the prearticular tubercle back through the protrusion of the tubercle.

For this purpose, the patient sits down on a low seat with support under the back of the head. On both rows of the lower teeth, the surgeon puts his thumbs, reaching the corners as far as possible with their ends, and with the rest of the fingers grabs the lower jaw from the outside.

By making the angle of the mandible a point of rotation, the surgeon quickly presses the angle down and back with the fingers; the chin makes a movement upwards and backwards.

The procedure for reducing the dislocation of the lower jaw is performed in the vertical position of the patient with the protection of the doctor's fingers.

If it is not possible to immediately reduce both sides, then it is necessary to try to set first one side, then the other. Otherwise, the reduction is easily possible under anesthesia. Bandage capistrum and liquid food for 2-3 weeks to avoid recurrence of dislocation of the mandible.

Cases of repositioning of chronic dislocations of the lower jaw after 8 months are described. With irreducible dislocations of the lower jaw that prevent the act of chewing, operative reduction or resection of the articular ends is indicated.

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

Dislocation of the mandible posteriorly is an extremely rare occurrence. It turns out with a direct effort - when hitting the front of the chin with the mouth closed. Articular heads with a dislocation of the lower jaw posteriorly, moving sharply backwards, can perforate the ear canal.

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.
With a dislocation of the hind leg, the animal cannot rise normally from the bedding, or it hurts to lie down. At the same time, the dog whines, howls.
The paw is pressed inward, refuses to feed.
The temperature may rise.
If available, at least one of the listed signs is an immediate appeal to a specialist.

First aid and treatment

Injuries in cats

If a dislocation is suspected, 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 tissues of the joint will scar, which is guaranteed to lead to surgery.

Before consulting with a specialist, it is strictly forbidden to feel, crush, pull the injured limb. You should also not feed the dog, as general anesthesia may be required for reduction.

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

The joint is always set under anesthesia, after which it is fixed with bandages or splints. Dislocation of the hip joint in dogs may require fixation with special knitting needles, and with a dislocation of the lower jaw, it is sometimes necessary to sew up the oral cavity for 5-7 days to ensure peace for the speedy fusion of bones.

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

First of all, the treatment of a dislocated jaw consists in repositioning the jaw joint to its usual place. This should be done by a doctor, but before hospitalization, first aid measures must be taken by fixing the jaw with a handkerchief.

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

The reduction of the posterior dislocation is carried out similarly, only the thumbs are located behind the wisdom teeth. After the procedure, the doctor applies a bandage, which will have to be worn for several weeks. Habitual dislocation can be treated surgically, but if it is caused by other diseases, it is necessary to treat them.

Chronic dislocations of the jaw are reduced under anesthesia (general or local), and they are treated longer: it takes up to three weeks to wear a fixing bandage or special orthopedic devices.

In general, the outcome of this disease is favorable. Only in particularly severe cases, an operation may 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 and tough food. It is recommended to use cereals, puree soup and other soft foods. You can not open your mouth wide, so you should suppress a yawn, do not scream. 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. 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.

The longer the dislocation is left untreated, the less likely it is to fully recover. An unhealed dislocation often becomes "habitual" - in this place the bone periodically leaves the joint, with any slight 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 from jumping, climbing, etc.

What kind of operations are there?

The postoperative period is quite difficult. Bone fractures cause severe pain to the animal, therefore, 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, chlorkexidine).

Particular attention is paid to the nutrition of the operated animal. In 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 activity of the cat, prevent jumping, falling from a height, and active games. It is forbidden to let the animal out into the street 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 be fixed on its surface (plates).

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