Search forum
Back to German Shepherd Dog
Liked top 20
ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > Trigeminal Neuritis in Dogs ( This is what Chaos had/has) (10 replies)
Trigeminal Neuritis in Dogs ( This is what Chaos had/has) by ShepherdWoman on 29 July 2012 - 02:11 |
| Sudden onset of the inability to close the jaw owing to dysfunction of the mandibular (jaw) branch of the trigeminal nerves (one of the cranial nerves) is a treatable medical condition called trigeminal nerve neuritis (inflammation). This is often due to nerve injury, which ranges from neuritis, demyelination (loss of the fatty sheath around the nerve which helps conduct the signal), and sometimes to fiber degeneration of all of the branches of the trigeminal nerve and the nerve cell body. Although it is occationally seen in cats, it's mainly a illness of dogs. Symptoms and Types Acute onset of dropped jaw Inability to close mouth Drooling Difficulty in getting food in the mouth Messy eating No loss of feeling in the jaw or face (This can't be true, because Chaos had all of this)! Swallowing remains normal Causes The underlying cause of trigeminal nerve is currently unknown though it is possible immune-mediated. Diagnosis Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, taking into account the background medical history, onset of symptoms and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. Your veterinarian will order a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, a ruinalysis and an electrolyte panel to rule out other diseases. Rabies is one of the more important disease conditions that will need to be ruled out. Diagnostic imaging like X-ray will be used to examine the skull and jaw bones, and bone marrow core biopsies and muscle biopsies can be used to rule out other possibilities for disease. Treatment The most effective treatment is supportive care. Your dog will need assistance with eating and drinking. If you are albe to provide sufficient care at home, your dog may be treated as a outpatient, but if you cannot care for your dog, it will need supportive nutritional care in the veterinary hospital so that it is adequate nutrients. If your dog is still able to lap and swallow food that is offered, you can use a large syringe that is placed in the corner of the mouth to feed the dog water and pureed foods, with the dog's head slightly elevated so that it can swallow easily. Fluids can also be administered subcutancously (under the skin). Feeding tubes are rarely necessary for maintaining adequate food intake, but may be used if your dog is unable to take anything into the mouth or swallow the food that is given. Living and Management This disease usually spontaneously resolves after 2 - 4 weeks. One result of the disease is shrinkage of the muscles used for chewing. Once the condition stabilized and your dog is able to move it's jaw normally again, you can help your dog to strenghthen the jaw muscles. Your veterinarian will recomment exercises for doing this based on your dog's overall health and age. Soooo, that's what Chaos is going through right now. It's been a week since he was in the hospital the first night. He's made a huge improvement already and we are hoping that he's back to normal old self again soon : - ) |
ShepherdWoman by macrowe1 on 29 July 2012 - 02:13 |
Poor baby! I hope he gets better soon. |
macrowe1 by Nans gsd on 29 July 2012 - 02:29 |
| Well I have heard of myacitis (SP) type illness also immune mediated; but have not heard of this. Does this mean it is going to rear it's ugly face time after time or once he is well will that be it? I hope it's the latter. Glad he is getting better though; hoping for a full recovery forever. Nan Are you sure he was not bitten by something? Spider, tick?? |
by ShepherdWoman on 29 July 2012 - 02:49 |
| Not sure if he was bitten by a spider, but he does have tick stuff on except for in the winter. Hard to say what happened, they don't even know themselves how it happens. I do know that when he's healthy enough to go back to his barn/home, we will be watching every move he makes lol. Not that we weren't watching before, but I will know everything he's doing! It was scary for all of us!!! |
by marjorie on 29 July 2012 - 04:35 |
| From DR Clemmons neurology page on Trigeminal Neuritis --- >Trigeminal neuritis (an immune disorder affecting the myelinated pathways in the trigeminal nerve) is usually transient, but can present as a significant problem. The cardinal signs of trigeminal neuritis if a dropped jaw with the inability to close the mouth. It affects adult dogs and cats with no breed or sex predilection. It must be differentiated from fracture or subluxation of the temporomandibular joint (evaluated by skull radiographs). On pathologic examination, there is bilateral nonsuppurative neuritis of the trigeminal nerve. As an idiopathic immune-related disorder, the condition will usually improve over 1-3 weeks. On the other hand, methylprednisolone therapy may help reduce the severity of an attack. Additional measures includes the use of antioxidant medications such as vitamin E and C, n-acetylcysteine and ginkgo biloba. These latter measures may help prevent reoccurrence of episodes, which are occasionally seen. Other measures including feeding liquified food and/or introduction of a PEG tubes to support nutrition while the neuritis slowly responds. Some have supported the patients nutrition by placing a wide rubber band around the mouth (which helps close the mouth) while the patient is allowed to eat. < ---- N-Acetylcysteine can be gotten from Westlab Pharmacy in Gainsville, Florida. They do ship all over the USA. They compound the meds for the DM Support Group and they have great prices. Before I found out about them, I spent $500 for N-Acetylcysteine!! At Westlab I dont think it was even $100 maybe even less. Hope your baby recovers as quickly as possible... Marjorie http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds) BE PROACTIVE! http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate |
marjorie by ShepherdWoman on 23 August 2012 - 14:20 |
| Chaos is doing so much better now. He's almost 100% again. We still have him up to the house until I'm totally sure that he's ready to go back down to the barn, which hie misses soooo much. You can see it in his actions and his eyes. I'm sure he'll be ready soon. I just want to be positive that he'll be ok. Just wanted to update ya all. Have a good day. |
by ShepherdWoman on 03 September 2012 - 02:29 |
| Chaos will be heading back down to his barn tomorrow. He misses it so much, you can see it in his eyes! When we got down there to spend time and do work etc, he is so excited to be down there. We have his new straw etc. all set for him and took him down there tonight to let him check it out. He went right in and laid in his straw and thought he was staying, lol. He was so bummed out when we told him to get back in the car! He's doing so much better and we know he's going to be just fine : - ) |
by hexe on 03 September 2012 - 02:49 |
| This is WONDERFUL news, ShepherdWoman! If he's ready to return, there's no point in keeping him away any longer, because he's just going to become depressed, and that's not good either. I'm so relieved for you all! |
by ShepherdWoman on 03 September 2012 - 09:10 |
| Thanks Hexe. We're happy that he's feeling much better. He's already starting to look a little depressed, that's why we need to get him back down there. That's been his home for 2 years and he had all the freedom in the world down there. Now like Bobby said, he's cooped up in a house during the day looking at 4 walls with nothing to do! He's not liking it at all. He's going to be so excited knowing he's going home and gets to stay there : - ) Thanks again for your help when all of this happened. We sure did/do appreciate it. |
by beetree on 03 September 2012 - 13:19 |
| I was happy to read this too. Great news for you both! I understand Chaos' reluctance to leave his barn. I swear they act just like a little kid when we have to tell our GSDs, it is time to get going and they don't want to! |
beetree by joanro on 03 September 2012 - 13:44 |
| Glad he gets to go back where he's comfortable and is well. |
Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!