Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Working dog with swollen head and jaw locked after training injury
By Brida, Amy L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2019·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Compartment syndrome of the muscles of mastication in a working dog following a traumatic training incident.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2.5-year-old male Belgian Malinois was brought to the vet after a traumatic bite training incident left him with severe swelling in his head, inability to close his jaw, and acute blindness. Imaging tests showed significant swelling in the muscles that control chewing, indicating a serious condition called compartment syndrome. The vet performed emergency surgery to relieve the pressure, which helped reduce the swelling and allowed the dog to move his jaw again. Unfortunately, the blindness did not improve after treatment.
People also search for: Belgian Malinois jaw injury · dog bite training complications · dog head swelling treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe acute compartment syndrome (CS) of the muscles of mastication in a working dog associated with a traumatic training event. CASE SUMMARY: A 2.5-year-old male Belgian Malinois was evaluated for acute blindness, severe diffuse swelling of the head, and inability to close the jaw following a traumatic incident during a bite training drill. During the exercise, the maxillary canine teeth were locked on a bite sleeve. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and ocular system identified diffuse muscle swelling and hyperintensity, most severe in the muscles of mastication. Ocular abnormalities were not identified. Rhabdomyolysis, CS, and indirect optic nerve injury were supported by measurement of increased intramuscular pressure. Bilateral decompressive fasciotomies over the masseter and temporalis muscles resulted in immediate and marked resolution of the swelling and jaw movement. Blindness, however, did not resolve. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: CS involving the muscles of mastication may occur as a complication of bite training and may result in irreversible and even life-threatening complications. Emergent decompressive fasciotomy is indicated to reverse swelling; however, visual deficits may not resolve.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31066176/