JUNE 2008: PEKINGESE

This is a 12 year old unspayed female Peke mix presented on emergency after a dog fight. This dog had multiple lacerations, and was extremely painful around the face. Upon further physical examination, it was discovered that this dog also had a pyometra. The wounds are surgery for the pyometra were triaged and treated. The dog was spayed, lacerations were flushed and closed and a feeding tube was inserted. After 10 days, the dog was presented for a work up of the possible fractures to the jaw.

The dog was anesthetized and full mouth radiographs were performed. The dog suffered from severe periodontal disease and was missing many teeth. Fractures to the mandibles were present on both sides. The right sided fracture was at the point of the TMJ. The left sided fracture was present at the distal root of 309.

The mouth was disinfected and most teeth were left in place for the time being. The distal root of 309 was amputated and a filling was placed at the access point of the canal. The tooth was sealed for pain control, not for long time preservation of the tooth root. A cerclage wire was placed through the bone distal to the fracture site and mesial to the mesial root of 309. The tooth root had been left in to help with jaw strength and integrity. A composite was placed around the mesial section of the cerclage wire and bonded to the mesial root of 309 to help with support during the process of healing.

The fright mandible was stabilized using a tape muzzle. Due to the proximity of the fracture site to the TMJ, a tape muzzle was the treatment of choice because the area was not able to be stabilized with either a splint or orthopedicaly.

The dog was placed on several months of antibiotic therapy and pain control and after 8 weeks, returned for reevaluation of the fractures. Radiographs showed a cartilaginous union at the TMJ fracture site on the right, but a non-union on the left. The dog was sent home for another 6 weeks and returned for reevaluation. This time the left had a union bone at the fracture site. The wire and splint were removed and all remaining teeth were removed at this time.

Home care consisted of a soft diet and non oral activity for the next 6 months. Another evaluation of this dogs injuries is scheduled in another 6 months. The prognosis for this dog is fair with good oral supervision.