Leo’s Excellent Recovery Following Jaw Surgery

Canine Jaw Surgery

How well a patient will recover and cope following jaw surgery is a common concern for both vet and owner. Most patients do remarkably well and return to normal function relatively quickly even after major resections.

Leo, a three-year-old Toy Poodle, presented with a high-grade sarcoma affecting his rostral mandible when referred to Peter Southerden at Eastcott Veterinary Referrals. Tumour staging included a CT scan of his head, chest and abdomen and excisional biopsies of his mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes on both sides.

No evidence of metastasis was found and a bilateral rostral mandibulectomy was performed at the level of the mandibular third premolars.

Leo’s recovery was uncomplicated and he was soon able to eat normally. The picture shows Leo six weeks post surgery. He has made an excellent recovery, is behaving and playing as he did prior to the surgery and his owner reports that he is even able to pick up his mini tennis balls!

It will be important to pay careful attention to oral health after this sort of surgery as patients will be predisposed to periodontal disease.