Potential complications include:
- tooth malocclusion
- infection
- delayed/incomplete bone healing
- failure of bone healing
Malocclusion of teeth is the most commonly reported complication and can lead to jaw joint dysfunction, excessive wear of teeth, injury to the surrounding oral tissues, periodontal disease, pain, and difficulty eating. Once malocclusion occurs, it is challenging to treat.
Pain medications are routinely prescribed following treatment of a mandibular fracture. Many veterinary surgeons will also recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) that has been formulated specifically for dogs or cats. In most cases antibiotics will be prescribed due to the high incidence of open mandibular fractures.
Pets should be discouraged from playing with toys or other animals, chewing on bones, or engaging in any activity that may place stress on the fracture site and compromise healing of the fracture. If external immobilization is utilized, it may be recommended to inspect the site of the muzzle for irritation or accumulation of food debris, as dermatitis is common. In pets treated by immobilization or with fixation that limits opening or closing of the mouth, care must be taken to avoid excessive activity and to restrict outdoor activity to the cooler parts of the day. Dogs regulate body temperature by panting, and if panting is impeded by the muzzle or a closed mouth surgery technique, body temperature can rise rapidly.
Diet change during their recovery. If your pet eats a dry kibble diet, switching to a soft diet or soaking the dry diet in warm water to soften the kibble prior to serving may be recommended. This will minimize stress on the healing bones and minimize trauma to the healing soft tissues within the mouth. In cases that have had feeding tubes placed, instructions on how to care for the tube and how to feed through the tube will be provided.
Food debris may accumulate if intraoral splints, interdental wires, or interarcade wires are utilized. You may be instructed to gently flush the mouth on a regular basis to keep the site free of debris. If external skeletal fixators are used to stabilize the fracture, the apparatus may need to be cleaned regularly and in some cases the fixators are bandaged and may require regular bandage changes.
Prognosis is generally very good if complications are avoided. As previously mentioned, malocclusion can result in additional procedures (i.e. tooth reconstruction) being necessary.