Being concerned about your pet’s well-being is normal when considering the possibility of undergoing major dental surgery. This is due to the unfamiliarity of the pet’s problem. It isn’t easy to think about seniors and their companions. Your experience with pets, relatives, and friends has brought additional issues to the forefront. The bond between humans and animals is unique; however, it is generally sturdy. There will be occasions when family and friends disagree about the best way to proceed with an effective oral procedure for the pet. The feeling of guilt could arise due to discussions with other people about major oral surgery that you can do for your pet.
Do I have to be concerned about this particular procedure?
Pet dentists offer dental and oral surgery consultation to help you work through the emotions you are experiencing by providing accurate responses to your concerns based on our clinical experience. Understanding the nature of the problem and the likelihood of the outcomes of any treatment is essential to make the appropriate choices. A first consultation with a surgeon using the information below can prove extremely useful. It’s your opportunity to gather the knowledge required to make logical decisions. Being patient is good; however, treatment procrastination may not be successful.
Benefits
Various factors can influence the outcome; however, if trauma has occurred, major surgery can be lifesaving. Patients with maxillofacial and oral cancers may also be benefited from lifesaving surgery. Before deciding on major surgery, it is essential to evaluate these patients thoroughly. Veterinarians can perform CAT scans as well as MRI imaging. Additionally, a radiologist and oncologist will determine the best treatment option. You and your veterinarian can collaborate to make difficult decisions. Feel free to check out their website for more information.
Post-Surgery Discomfort
Surgery to treat your pet’s oral cavity requires careful control of pain. For effective pain management, read on. Several factors make pain recognition difficult. Animals instinctively hide discomfort from veterinarians. Cat stomatitis (CUPS), feline stomatitis jaw fracture, oral tumors, and TMJ fractures cause moderate to severe pain in most pets requiring major oral surgery.
Dentigerous cysts, open-mouth jaw locking, and TMJ ankylosis need less painful orthodontia. Surgery anesthesia involves the selection of intra-operative, pre-operative, and post-operative pain medications dependent on the patient’s pain status and the planned surgical procedure. It can reduce or eliminate pain. Many of our clients are pleased that their pets appear less painful after major dental surgery.
Post-Surgery Diet
For major dental surgery, the use of dissolvable sutures is typically employed. After surgery, vets recommend using canned food or moistened kibble for 10-14 days. It might take time for your pet’s body to adjust to the changes due to the surgery, especially regarding eating.
Getting your pet to consume food directly from your hand is generally beneficial to get through the period of adjustment following major dental procedures. Some messes will be caused by food, saliva, and water splashes. Most pets eat within 6-12 hours after major oral surgery. For the first 24 hours following the surgery, giving small amounts of food at intervals of a few hours is recommended.
Appearance
After major oral surgery on the lower jaws, the pet still looks remarkably normal, even after a mandibulectomy operation. The tongue may protrude from the mouth if the bone is taken away. This can become less noticeable in time. It could also result in increases in the flow of saliva after a major oral procedure.
Some pets have facial swelling that generally disappears with no treatment after some weeks. Because the upper and lower teeth come occluded when shutting the mouth, clicking sounds are frequent after Mandibulectomy partial procedures. After a few months, the clicking sound that is heard in most pets becomes significantly reduced or disappears. If you want to learn more, feel free to visit their website.
Post-Surgery Care
After major dental surgery, most pets require no nursing assistance other than love and care or hand feeds. Some surgical procedures involve placing feeding tubes to ensure that the pet receives the recommended food, drink, or medication. In these instances, written directions for managing the feeding tube will be given. The primary responsibility of the owner or caretaker is to keep the feeding tube clean and administer food at appropriate intervals.
Only some owners have difficulty managing feeding tubes or are uncomfortable. If nursing care is required and the pet owner can’t give it, seek a veterinarian professional who can help with issues or provide the services needed.
