Management and Outcome of Maxillofacial Trauma in a 9-Week-Old Dog

This case report describes diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of maxillofacial trauma in a 9-week-old shih tzu. In addition to an open left mandibular body fracture and a right condylar process fracture, there were several relatively stable and minimally displaced right maxillary fractures. The torn soft tissues associated with the left mandibular body fracture were sutured closed, and a tape muzzle was placed. Due to sufficient fracture healing at the 2-week recheck examination, the tape muzzle was removed. The 6-week reexamination confirmed continued healing and recovery. Anesthesia was performed at the 5.5-month reexamination when the dog was 8 months old, revealing the presence of persistent deciduous teeth, linguoverted, malformed, and partially erupted permanent teeth, and asymmetric skeletal malocclusion (in addition to the breed-specific mandibular mesioclusion). Persistent deciduous teeth and linguoverted and malformed permanent teeth were extracted to allow for normal opening and closing of the mouth without traumatic occlusion. Long-term follow-up is recommended in juvenile dogs with maxillofacial injuries in order to prevent, recognize, and treat dental complications resulting from the trauma.