arthritic jaws?

[PucciNPoni]

Sounds random I know - but has anyone ever found that their older dogs go off chewing their favorite hard chews due to that?

My old boy has had his teeth done about a month ago. I had the vet at my work recheck his mouth the other day as I have noticed he's not keen to do any chewing. Mouth looking good, teeth fine and no sores in his mouth. She suggested perhaps that his jaw might have a touch of arthritis? I might start him on a joint supplement to see if that helps, but just wondering if it's just that my boy is *special*

 

[Oberon]

I know my old girl had an issue where she started yelping while eating kibble and couldn't open her mouth wide.

She would never take a treat from you or catch treats - she would let them drop and then investigate if she COULD eat it or not.

It got worse over time and I took her to the vet who suggested she may have ligament strain to her jaw.

She had a course of anti-inflammatory meds (beginning with the letter R) and she was happier.

Then I took both dogs Raw. I was very concerned she wouldn't manage as she used to struggle with kibble

But then, a month or so later I had the joy of watching her munching on bones without a care in the world She never had an other issue after going Raw.

 

[gunnergundog]

It could be arthritis of the TMJ or a problem with one of the ligaments that support the joint.

Unless you want to spend big money and go for x rays etc, I would talk to the vet and see if they will prescribe a course of anti-inflammatories/pain killers. Couple this with a sloppy diet for the duration and see if you get any improvement. (The sloppy diet will obviate the need for working the jaw and give the ligaments a chance to recover if that is the problem area.)

Another option would be to find a chiropracter with a cranio-sacral qualification and ask them to investigate. If you;re in Yorkshire I have a name of someone I can recommend.

Supplements such as Seraquin can do no harm.

Good luck.

 

[CL66]

I have no idea how they go about cleaning the teeth, but maybe they opened his mouth too wide/for too long and strained the tmj?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I know my old girl had an issue where she started yelping while eating kibble and couldn't open her mouth wide.

She would never take a treat from you or catch treats - she would let them drop and then investigate if she COULD eat it or not.

It got worse over time and I took her to the vet who suggested she may have ligament strain to her jaw.

She had a course of anti-inflammatory meds (beginning with the letter R) and she was happier.

Weird this is exactly what happen with my JRT a few months ago too.

It could be arthritis of the TMJ or a problem with one of the ligaments that support the joint.

Unless you want to spend big money and go for x rays etc, I would talk to the vet and see if they will prescribe a course of anti-inflammatories/pain killers. Couple this with a sloppy diet for the duration and see if you get any improvement. (The sloppy diet will obviate the need for working the jaw and give the ligaments a chance to recover if that is the problem area.)

Mine had x-rays, that were all totally clear. Seemed to have settled after a week on anti-inflams & pain killers.

 

[PucciNPoni]

I don't think it's as a result of injury following the dental as he was "off" his chewing activity (one of his favorite things to do) before the dental - which I attributed to mild gingivitis. Considering he is 11 years old and this is the first time he's required his teeth to be done, I figure that's pretty good going. He just had a routine scale/polish and no extractions. Never really considered a ligament type injury - might speak to her again about it.

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[PucciNPoni]

Well, a wee update on my Chester Pops

He's been on metacam for a week, just started yesterday on Cosequin. Vet did a thorough examination on him last week and we discussed the chewing thing and when she looked in his ears he let out a wee squeak -- nothing IN his ears to suggest an ear issue so she reckons that he has some mild arthritis. And of course without running the expense of x-rays etc, it's impossible to tell so the metacam is a try and see.

One week on, my house is trashed! He's been chewing everything he can get his gob on! He's shredded toys everywhere, there's bits of chewed bones cluttering the place. He's been galloping up and down my halls growling and enticing my 4 year old poodle to play which has my poodle somewhat confused. Hubby is complaining that at 5 am (my wake up time) Chester's noisy efforts to play and get Merlin in to his games is wakening HIM up too.

I wonder if the vet can give me some of what Chester's getting?!? LOL