What are Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures?
Both upper and lower jaw fractures are very painful for the cat and they require immediate treatment. The lower jaw is more susceptible to fractures as it is made up of of two bones that have fused together, a process called symphysis. Often, because jaw fractures are linked with major trauma, the cat will be suffering from other, more serious injuries such as bruising of the lungs, punctured lungs, a diaphragmatic hernia, additional bone fractures and/or internal bleeding. A jaw fracture in itself may be life threatening, as most cats will refuse to eat due to significant mouth pain.
Upper and lower jaw fractures generally happen when a cat’s jaw is subjected to blunt force trauma. This can cause the fragile mandible (lower jaw) or the more sturdy maxilla (upper jaw) to fracture. Any type of break is classified as a fracture. It can be as small as a hairline crack or as devastating as a severe comminution (a bone shatter). Your cat may only have subtle swelling, or its entire mouth may hang open.
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Symptoms of Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures in Cats
The following list shows many of the possible symptoms for both upper and lower jaw fractures. Please note that while some fractures are visibly obvious, others can be harder to recognize, especially in maxilla (upper jaw) fractures. All fractures need immediate veterinary care.
- Reluctance or refusal to eat
- Swelling around the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Wounds in or around the mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Jaw misalignment
- A mouth that hangs open or can not close at all
- Other trauma on body (from original blunt force that has caused the jaw fracture)
Types
Jaw fractures in cats are generally classified as either favorable or unfavorable, depending on the severity of the fracture and the general healing success associated with it.
Favorable
If the fracture has not caused the jaw to move out of place, it is referred to as a favorable fracture. Fractures of the maxilla (upper jaw) are often favorable.
Unfavorable
If the fracture has caused jaw displacement, it is referred to as an unfavorable fracture. This includes situations where the fracture is exacerbated by the mouth muscles, and when the fracture runs perpendicular to the mandible (lower jaw). Mandible fractures are generally unfavorable.
Causes of Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures in Cats
Upper and lower jaw fractures are very common occurrences in cats. Jaw fractures are most commonly the outcome of impact injuries. These include but are not limited to:
- Being hit by an automobile
- Attacks from other animals (especially large dogs)
- Falls from great heights
When injury is not the cause, the cause is generally one of the following:
- Tooth decay
- Metabolic disease
- Cancer (or cancerous tumors)
- Tooth extraction complications
It is important to note that these issues are seen much more often in older cats than in younger cats.
Diagnosis of Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures in Cats
All fractures need professional care to ensure that quality of life is restored as best as possible for the cat. Once at the veterinary clinic, your vet will most likely take the following steps:
Immediate Pain Relief
Most jaw fractures are extremely painful, and are often paired with other, very serious, injuries. Generally, before any tests are run your vet will sedate or anesthetize your cat to give it some relief while also providing the best conditions for assessment.
Visual Assessment
The vet will then look for any and all external wounds or swelling to locate the main fractures. Often, because the jaw has such little flesh, the bone may be protruding from the skin.
Injury Severity Assessment
Before any tests can be done, the vet has to ensure that your cat's condition is stable. This is especially true when the cat is suffering from multiple injuries, or there is significant blood loss.
Diagnostic Imaging
The vet will take either X-ray (radiography) images or complete a CT (computer tomography) scan. They serve the same purpose, however a CT scan combines X-ray images with computer technology to provide the most detailed view of the affected area. It does take more time and it is generally more expensive. CT scans are preferred when the injury or complication is severe.
Once your vet has collected all of this information, they will be able to diagnose which type of fracture has occurred and plan the next steps of action.
Treatment of Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures in Cats
The treatment needed for jaw fractures in cats is very dependent on what type of fracture is present. The most common procedures are listed below:
External Immobilization
The affected bones are aligned properly and then secured by a muzzle. The muzzle is administered using either a commercially produced mouth muzzle or medical tape. In less complicated fractures, this is sometimes all that is needed.
External Skeletal Fixation
Pins are threaded through the skin into the bone while all being connected to an external rod or bumper bar which holds the jaw in place. It is a less invasive surgery in which all implants can be removed after healing has occurred. There is some postoperative care involved to remove the pins. This method is very effective in treating open mandibular body fractures.
Internal Reduction
Bone plates and screws are placed surgically to secure bone pieces. They stay in the animal upon recovery. There is minimal postoperative care involved. This procedure is often used in repairing temporomandibular joint luxations (complete joint dislocation).
Interosseous or Interfragmentary Wiring
A long, slender wire is inserted through the lower jaw but remains under the tongue and then protrudes back through to the underside of the jaw. It is then bent properly to prevent snagging.Postoperative care is required to remove the wire. This works to join two pieces of broken bone back together, especially in mandible symphysis breaks.
Interarcade Wiring
The jaw is essentially wired shut to prevent movement and encourage proper alignment. The cat can only consume liquids and pureed foods throughout the healing process. A postoperative visit is required to remove the wire so the mouth can function again. This treatment is often used to correct a simple mandibular body fracture.
Interdental Wiring
The wire is secured around the cat’s teeth to stabilize the realignment of the jaw. Wires will be removed at a later vet visit once the jaw has healed. This treatment is noninvasive.
Partial or Full Mandibulectomy
If the jaw is shattered beyond repair, or there is a tumour, mandibulectomy (amputation of the jaw) may be offered as a last resort attempt to save your cat's life. It is important to note that some cats will permanently refuse to eat after having this surgery, and the morbidity rates are high.
Feeding tubes may be used for a time with all of the above treatments.
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Recovery of Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures in Cats
Your cat should resume eating soft foods in one or two days after being released from vet care. Pain medication is often prescribed to help your pet get through the recovery period. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are also given to help reduce swelling and general inflammation in the fracture area. Your vet may want to prescribe antibiotics, especially if there are any signs of infection after injury or surgery. You will need to limit your cat’s activity and discourage play throughout the time of recovery. If the cat has any external wiring, you will have to clean it and ensure no food remains attached to it to prevent dermatitis. If there are bandages, they may need to be changed. It is common to feel sadness or guilt over your cat’s injuries, especially if they are due to severe trauma that could have been prevented.
Certain complications can occur after your pet is discharged. They are:
- Malocclusion (imperfect positioning) of teeth, which can discourage your cat from eating
- Jaw dysfunction
- Incomplete/delay/failure of bone healing
- Tooth root injury
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone)
- Periodontal disease
- Infection
Overall the prognosis is generally good, with most cats healing completely within 4-6 weeks. The cause of the fracture paired with the impact at which it happened usually determines the overall healing success.
Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures Average Cost
From 383 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Top
Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Tortoise
Cassie
16 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fractured Jaw
My cat has recently fractured her jaw and had it wired together last Monday, the wire is now poking out into the side of her mouth so she is going back under anesthetic on Wednesday to oysh the wire back flat. I'm told as she is nearly 16 the wire will stay in her mouth. Is this normal for the wire to stay in and how will it not point into the side of her cheek again. I'm so anxious as she must be in so much pain, she is on metacam at the moment.
May 27, 2018
0 Recommendations
In older cats, healing of bone is longer than in younger cats and the stress of additional anaesthesia as well as other factors may lead your Veterinarian to decide to leave the wire or other fixation there. To prevent the wire from sticking out again, it may be tucked under another loop of wire or turned towards the bone instead of the soft tissue. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 28, 2018
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Domestic short
Mollycat
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lost Teeth, Blood, Lower Jaw Fractu
Last Friday our male cat Wally had an accident at home. He misjudged running into the house and his mouth collided with a metal step. There was a lot of blood, lost teeth and his lower jaw was jutting forward. He did not cry or whine. We rushed him to the vet who sedated him and gave painkillers. We left him there. The vet rang a couple of hours later describing his condition as not good. His lower jaw was broken, she also mentioned a bone at the back of the mouth being broken and the upper jaw too. She explained that he would need to go to an Orthopaedic Animal Hospital for operation and treatment and that it would be a very long road of recovery and he wouldn't be able to eat pouch food again, but would have to be fed liquid food with a syringe. I cannot recall all of the details about the injuries as I was obviously in a distressed state. As a family we made the decision to have him put to sleep because we didn't want to put him through operations, recovery etc and having a poor quality of life. He was coming up to 9 years old.
We are struggling with his loss of life especially as it was so sudden.
We need to know if we did the right thing - although I know we cannot bring him back. We felt if we kept him alive, we would be doing it for ourselves, but he would spend the rest of his life in pain and discomfort. Help, we are so distressed.
ymstone@aol.com
April 10, 2018
0 Recommendations
Based on the information you gave regarding Wally’s condition, it sounds like you made a choice which was in Wally’s best interest given age, severity of injury, recovery and impact on life afterwards. Obviously I can only make my observation based on the information provided as I didn’t examine Wally, but it sounds like you acted in his best interest and not your own. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 11, 2018
I think that is awful you had your cat put to sleep at 9 yrs old sorry it is, i have kept many cats the oldest living very well and healthily until she was 29 yrs old, recently one of my cats was hit by a car or fell from a height and broke its jaw, it was a mess! broken nose, broken jaw , other small facial bones fractured , lots of blood and in a lot of pain and barely able to breathe, however i took him to the vets, he had two consecutive surgerys on his jaw to have it wired and he was given two types of antibiotics and pain killers all in liquid form and i was given soft clinical diet food by the vet to liquidize for him!! was it hard work ? no!! its my pet a member of my family and it was no more difficult than feeding an unruly toddler (weaning a sick baby) in fact within 5 days he was eating mushy food on his own , and were now 3 weeks post surgery and he is fine , and eating well and the jaw is healing perfectly- i dont think you wanted to be bothered with all that hassle or ecxpense! - shame on you!!! it cost me £800 and a lot of hard work yes but worth all the effort and every penny!! your cats condidtion was not life threatening to him in 6 weeks he would of been fine !! and on his way to his 10th birthday , so if you feel guilty - you should do !!! you just opted for an easy way out!
June 27, 2018
Maxine L.
Oh and also his jaw was jutting out to the side , his teeth were broken the small ones and no longer lined up and his tongue was hanging out and he could not close his mouth- within 5 days he was eating mushy food himself!!!! even if he had to have mushed up food for life and he loves his dry food and dreamies i would have persisted with what im doing for him! you didnt even give him a chance or that option- that is wrong! im so saddened at the loss of your cats life and angry - i wished i had not read what you posted. Mine has 3 weeks left to go and he now eats, mashed cat food, prawns, crab, white fish , soft mashed chicken with gravy and clinical cat food mushed , i only had to liquidize for 5 days-
June 27, 2018
Maxine L.
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Black
Speckles
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Broken Right Mandibular Jaw
I have just taken my cat to the vets this morning where he was diagnosed as having been hit by a car and, following x-rays, he has a broken right mandibular jaw. The vet has kept him in and is ordering a plate so that he can operate and add the plate on Tuesday or Wednesday. I, however, find it strange that he has no other visible injuries such as bruising and, as he had all his back teeth taken out three months ago - due to a viral gum disease - I am wondering whether his jaw has been affected by this same disease and has become weaker. I noticed last night that while he was on my lap he tried to attack and bite me three times - so I am wondering if, even before the accident, there was something wrong with his jaw. If that is the case I would not want my cat to go through with an operation. Are there some tests that I can ask my vet to do regarding this virus and the strength of his jaw before he operates? Any advice very gratefully received.
April 8, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
It is a very reasonable question to wonder whether his jaw is weak from dental disease, and if he has bone loss or deterioration in his jaw, the bone plate may not have anything to hold onto. The x-rays that your veterinarian took will show the bony strength of his mandible, and it might be a good idea to have the x-rays assessed by a certified radiologist before undertaking this surgery, to get a specialists opinion on the capacity for healing and success with the surgery. Most veterinarians have a radiology specialist that they can refer x-rays to for a second opinion at a reasonable cost. I hope that Speckles is okay.
April 8, 2018
Thank you very much for your speedy advice. Kind regards Joanna
April 8, 2018
Speckles's Owner
I have just received Speckles X-rays from my vet - do you know of anyone I could send them to for advice please?
April 9, 2018
Speckles's Owner
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domestic short hair
Sarge
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lower Jaw Off Center
My cat got into a tussle with a local dog and his jaw looks to be a bit off center. He doesn’t appear to be in pain but is frequently opening and closing his mouth like he is trying to figure out how to straighten it. I don’t have the money for a vet right now and would prefer not to take him if it isn’t necessary. Is there anything I can do, given that it doesn’t seem to be hurting him? Or would it be better to just take him in?
Jan. 30, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If Sarge's jaw is dislocated, he needs to see a veterinarian. They'll be able to let you know more what is going on with him, and an possible treatments or tests that might be necessary. I hope that he is okay.
Jan. 30, 2018
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Upper and Lower Jaw Fractures Average Cost
From 383 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,800
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