Jaw Fractures & Maxillofacial Trauma

Often, accidents occur unexpectedly, such as when a dog darts out of the house and is hit by a car, a new puppy gets into a scuffle with a larger, more senior pet, or a cat takes a fall from a balcony. These incidents are not only distressing for the pets but also deeply unsettling for their pet parents. 

During these challenging times, we are here to provide the assistance and support you and your pet require.

When we encounter serious events like this, advanced imaging is key in getting the complete picture. 

We will collaborate closely with you to arrange for a 

CT scan (a 3D X-ray picture of the head), enabling us to assess the injuries thoroughly and develop an effective treatment plan. Your pet's well-being is our top priority.

Often the soft tissue wounds need to be cleaned and surgically closed. Depending on the presence and location of a jaw fracture, we may also need to contemplate the placement of an intraoral splint. Please note that this treatment typically involves a minimum of two visits: one for the initial splint placement and another for its removal.

In some situations, we may opt to retain teeth temporarily to provide added support to the jaw. However, the plan may involve extracting these teeth during a subsequent follow-up visit. Alternatively, we may need to remove teeth that are severely diseased or injured to expedite the healing process of the jaw. Each decision is carefully made to optimize your pet's recovery and well-being.

Our initial priority is to stabilize your pet and 

provide effective pain management. 

Once your pet is in stable condition, we will work on developing a treatment plan aimed at restoring their comfort and functionality, striving to achieve a bite that aligns as closely as reasonably possible with their original anatomy. Your pet's well-being and recovery are our primary concerns throughout this process.