Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with intermittent open-mouth jaw locking fixed by surgery
By Lobprise, H B & Wiggs, R B·Published in Journal of veterinary dentistry·1992·Dallas Dental Service Animal Clinic·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Modified surgical treatment of intermittent open-mouth mandibular locking in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old cat was brought in because it couldn't close its mouth properly, which was causing it distress. The problem was due to a joint issue that caused the jaw to lock open intermittently. The veterinarian performed a modified surgery to fix the alignment of the jaw and relieve the locking. After the procedure, the cat was able to close its mouth normally and showed significant improvement.
People also search for: cat mouth won't close · cat jaw locking treatment · cat surgery for jaw problems
Abstract
Intermittent open-mouth locking related to disorders of the temporomandibular joint are not uncommon. As a result of joint laxity, the mandible shifts to one side. The coronoid process then becomes locked lateral to the zygomatic arch. These patients present with the mouth opened and an inability to close the mouth. This article describes a case of intermittent open-mouth mandibular locking in a cat and a modified surgical treatment combining zygomatic arch and coronoid process reduction.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1290595/