Changes

'''Symmetrical''' involvement is common.

'''Symmetrical''' involvement is common.

The condition is believed to be hereditary, and it is an autosomal recessive trait in '''West Highland White Terriers''' and possibly in '''Scottish Terriers'''. It has been reported in other breeds such as the '''Labrador, Great Dane  and Doberman'''.

The condition is believed to be hereditary, and it is an autosomal recessive trait in '''West Highland White Terriers''' and possibly in '''Scottish Terriers'''. It has been reported in other breeds such as the '''Labrador, Great Dane  and Doberman'''.

The condition usually occurs in growing puppies between the age of '''4 and 8 months'''.

The condition usually occurs in growing puppies between the age of '''4 and 8 months'''.

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

The owner may report that the dog has '''difficulty in prehension, mastication and swallowing of food''', and that it has pain around the mouth area.

 

Puppies present with swollen mandibles, inappetance and reluctance to open, and pain on opening the mouth. The owner may report that the dog has '''difficulty in prehension, mastication and swallowing of food''', and that it has pain around the mouth area.

Temporal and masseter '''muscle atrophy''' are common.

Temporal and masseter '''muscle atrophy''' are common.

There may be '''palpable irregular thickenings''' of the mandibular rami or the temporomandibular joint.

There may be '''palpable irregular thickenings''' of the mandibular rami or the temporomandibular joint caused by periosteal proliferation of the body of the mandible, sometimes incorporating the tympanic bullae or temporomandibular joint.  

 

The dog will be unable to fully open its jaw, even under anaesthesia.

 

 

'''Pyrexia''', up to 40°c, can occur.

Less commonly, there may be swelling and lameness in one or several '''limbs'''.

The dog will be unable to fully open its jaw, even under anaesthesia. There may be bilateral exophthalmos and pyrexia, up to 40°C. Less commonly, there may be swelling and lameness in one or several limbs.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

The condition follows an intermittent progressive course but is '''self-limiting''', and treatment is only '''palliative'''.

Craniomandibular osteopathy follows an intermittent progressive course but is '''self-limiting''' and treatment is only '''palliative'''. The condition usually regresses at about a year of age, corresponding with the completion of jaw growth and ossification.  

Analgesics and anti-inflammatories form the mainstay of therapy, and may include [[NSAIDs]] such as carprofen.

Analgesics and anti-inflammatories form the mainstay of therapy, and may include [[NSAIDs]] such as carprofen.

[[Category:Expert Review - Small Animal]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Small Animal]]

[[Category:Bones - Hyperplastic Pathology]]

[[Category:Bones - Hyperplastic Pathology]]