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Concerns about major oral surgery
It is natural to be concerned or fearful when considering major oral surgery for your pet. These fears are due to the unfamiliar nature of the pet's problem. Major surgery is particularly a difficult consideration for elderly and dear companions. Perhaps life's experiences shared between family members and friends or even from their expreiences with pets generate additional concerns.
The human-animal bond is different for each person and typically it is very strong. There are times when family and friends may have a drastically different opinion on whether you should proceed with major oral surgery for your pet. Guilt feelings may even be experienced from discussions with others regarding major oral surgery for your pet.
We will work with you through these feelings by providing accurate answers to all your questions from our clinical experiences. With accurate information about the underlying problem and the treatment prognosis, the best decisions can be made.
The initial surgical consultation with the information below, can help tremendously!
Common questions owners ask us are listed below.
The answers are based on our clinical experience with animals having a variety of problems requiring major oral surgery.
Will the surgery cause pain and discomfort for my pet?
The recognition of pain at times can be difficult for a several reasons. We know that animals try to hide pain from us as a natural protective instinct. We also fail to understand our animal's communication of pain.
Most pets that require major oral surgery have moderate to severe pain from their underlying problem such as CUPS, feline stomatitis, jaw fracture, oral tumors or TMJ fracture. Some conditions requiring major oral surgery are less painful such as the
dentigerous cysts, open mouth jaw locking or TMJ ankylosis.
Dr. Kressin believes that any medical condition or surgical procedure that might be painful for humans is definitrely painful for pets. It is our obligation to eliminate or minimize pain for our animals! we do this before, during and after surgical procedures using a "balanced" approach to anesthesia.
In planing anesthesia for the surgery, the current pain status and the anticipated surgerical procedure are considered when choosing pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative pain medications. Every attempt is made to eliminate or minimize pain. Many clients have been impressed that their pets seem less painful very soon after major oral surgery.
Will my pet be able to eat and how soon after surgery?
Most pets will be eating food within 6-12 hours after major oral surgery. It is advised to feed small portions of food every few hours for the first 24 hours after surgery.
What will my pet be able to eat and how frequently do I feed them?
Sutures that dissolve are used for major oral surgery in most cases. We advise the use of canned food or moistened kibble after surgery for a period of 10-14 days. It may take time for your pet to adjust to changes created from the surgery when eating. It is usually helpful to encourage pets to eat from your hand after major oral surgery to get through the adjustment period. There will be some messes associated with salivation, lapping of food and water.
What will my pet look like and will there be disfigurement?
The pet's appearance after major oral surgery of the lower jaws is remarkably close to normal even after mandibulectomy procedures. The tongue may hang out of the mouth where bone has been removed (see clinical photos below).
In time, this may become less noticable. There may also be an increased flow of saliva after major oral surgery. Occasionally some pets will have facial swelling which typically resolves without treatment within a few weeks.
A clicking sound is common after partial mandibulectomy procedures due to the upper and lower teeth comming into occlusion when closing the mouth. In most pets the clicking sound becomes dramatically reduced or goes away after a few months.
Patients having condylectomy appear very close to normal. This is because the mandibles remain in an approximately normal position due to the mandibular symphysis stabilization.
For patients with maxillectomy, there may be a slight narrowing appearance of the nose. Many of these surgeries are not noticed by family and friends.
What can I expect from surgery for my pet?
Expectations from surgery and the surgical prognosis are dependent on the procedure performed and the underlying problem. Most pets recover rapidly from major surgery within 24 to 48 hours. Many seem nearly unaffected other than mild sedation.
Will I need to provide nursing care for my pet?
Most pets do not require nusring care other than love, attention and hand feeding after major oral surgery. Some surgerical procedures involve the placement of feeding tubes to ensure the pet receives food, water or medication prescribed. Written instructions for feeding tube management will be provided in these cases. Keeping the feeding tube clean and feeding at appropriate intervals are the fundamental responsibility of the owner or caretaker. Few owners find feeding tube management difficult or inconvenient.
If nursing care is needed and an owner cannot provide this care, the Animal Emergency Center and Specialty Services can help with problems or completely provide the needed services.
What will the recovery period be?
The recovery period is usually two days or less.
What will the surgery cost?
The cost of major oral surgery is based on several factors. It is based on time, materials, patient monitoring and technical help required. Please see the fees for services section for additional information.
Can I make payments for the surgery?
We enjoy being able to say yes, when ever possible. Payment plans are available though carecredit. Please see our hospital policies as well.
Our relationship with you and your veterinarian continues after surgery has been completed.
We are highly committed to help you and your veterinarian in every possible way.
If you have questions about your pet after surgery, feel free to call 920-233-8409.
If Dr. Kressin is not availavble, you may call the Animal Emergency Center and Specialty Services at 414-540-6710 for advice and help.
A no charge recheck exam is provided two weeks after oral surgery. If additional procedures are needed, there would be additional service fees. The need for additional services are uncommon or rare!
Clinical photos from major oral surgery cases.
This dog had a left mandibulectomy
two weeks prior to this photo. The
Owner stated that this dog ate four
hours after surgery.
Left side view two weeks after surgery.
Normal (untreated) right side.
Two week follow up after left mandibulectomy.
The owner stated that she was impressed
with the rapid return to eating and
overall recovery.
Right mandibulectomy for treatment of
an oral malignant tumor. Age 14 yrs.
His tonge hangs out when resting and
is not viewable when he is called.
Left mandibulectomy due to jaw fracture
between the first and second molar teeth.
This dog creates messes when lapping
food and water but has gained weight
1 month after partial mandibulectomy.
Major maxillectomy from the left upper
third incisor including all teeth on the
left side. For a malignant oral tumor.
Two weeks after bilateral rostral mandibulectomy
(both mandibles removed between the first and
second premolar teeth.
Both mandibles were fractured during dental extraction of both lower canine teeth. This family was very pleased with the decision to perform major oral surgery.
This owner stated that her pet's pain from the fractures were intense and he was unwilling to eat any food for three days. The pain was immediately eliminated after the mandibulectomy surgery was performed. This dog ate when she got home from
Animal Dental Center.
Same dog as above; bilateral rostral
mandibulectomy.
Left view bilateral rostral mandibulectomy
two week follow-up.
Right view bilateral rostral mandibulectomy
two week follow-up.
Melanoma in 16 yr lab.
Malignant oral tumor of right mandible.
Two week surgical follow-up view.
This is a two year follow-up of a bilateral rostral
mandibulectomy. Cat was doing very well for 2
years. He stopped eating abruptly. Tooth resorption
was then diagnosed and treated surgically. He again
returned to normal eating.
Right view, two year follow-up of
bilateral rostral mandibulectomy.
Maxillary and incisive bone fracture.
Maxillectomy and incisive bone removal
was declined. The owner decided to
have the injury repaired.
Fractured repositioned and sutured.
Another view.
An intraoral composite splint was
fabricated for stabilization.
4 weeks later the splint was removed.
The discolored tooth was later treated
by root canal therapy. The owners were
pleased to have avoided the maxillectomy surgery.
Final view after surgical repair of the
fractured incisive and maxilla bones.
Notice the normal functional occlusion.
Clients & Pet Information
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