Broken jaw

[Reptrillian]

This is about a Rankins, but I'm hoping you guys can help!

My Rankins was diagnosed with mouth rot 2 weeks ago, the vet put him on daily oral antibiotics and chlorhexidine mouth cleaning twice a day, which I did. His mouth was sore so he hadn't been eating, so the vet suggested I assist feed him. I gave him Repta Boost and he gained a good amount.

In the process, a combination of my inexperience and his fighting me, his jaw was broken Monday. I took him in today to confirm, it wasn't until today that I was sure it wasn't just that he'd bitten his tongue, his jaw was obviously swollen.

My vet recommended that he wires his jaw to let it heal and inserts a feeding tube through his neck to his stomach so I can feed him.

I'd love to hear from the experiences of others, he's a huge part of our family, we've had him 5 years, he was a rescue so I don't know how old he is.

 

[Reptrillian]

Here are pics:
http://imgur.com/a/51iX4
http://imgur.com/lOivViU

 

[AHBD]

Poor little baby I'm sorry this happened to your dragon and to you. This really is a difficult one to decide what's best because if his jaw is wired then he cant get his mouth rot treated. Did the vet say how long that would be ? I think it's best left alone and still treat for the mouth rot very gently and food administered very gently. Some owners have had a vet show them how to put a tube down their throat for feeding....but that may be too difficult. His mouth rot infection can lead to death, so somehow he still needs that to be treated. Some of the mods. will probably weigh in on this too, and maybe you could ask your Dr. if he can consult with other experienced reptile vets. It's not going to be an easy solution. In the meantime you might try some raw honey to lightly rub on his gums...it's a powerful antimicrobial and beardies actually like the taste so it offers a bit of nutrition and medicinal properties. If he likes it, then maybe you can add it to the Carnivore Care mix to tempt him to eat. Best wishes to you in this very difficult situation.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor little one. I agree though, I don't know about getting the mouth/jaw wired shut because then you couldn't treat the mouth rot issues.
If you are very gentle, even with a broken jaw you can get them to lick soft foods, etc as well as get the mouth cleaned out too, carefully.
How long has he had mouth rot trouble?
This is definitely a hard call to make, he is critical though.
He is a little cutie. Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[Reptrillian]

The mouth rot is hugely improved, I noticed the issue about a month ago, I thought it was an RI. He's a week into his 2 week course of oral antibiotics, the vet would be happy to have the rest of the course given as injections to save his jaw more damage. The rot, as far as it seems, looks like it's only between his lips and his teeth, so depending how it was fixed I could still do the topical cleaning with the chlorhexidine, however the vet isn't confident he'll be able to actually immobilise the jaw because he's so small.

The feeding tube seems like such a drastic step, the vet isn't optimistic about his chances of surviving the surgery, although he wasn't optimistic about his chances of gaining weight with assist feeding but he did. He gained several grams in just a week.

He's not licking anything from his mouth, I tried to be conservative with feeding, but he just wasn't interested. I looked at lots of different assist feeding techniques on YouTube because I was so worried about hurting him, but none worked really. He also seems to have trouble breathing through his nostrils, which was why I thought he had an RI, the vet feels it's probably due to inflammation from the mouth infection but isn't sure. It makes me worry more about restricting his mouth, as he's mostly breathing through his mouth.

I really feel like there are no good options, I really can't bring myself to consider euthanasia, my children (and my husband and I!)would be devastated.

 

[Reptrillian]

I feel so alone with this. My husband wants him kept alive at all costs, my vet doesn't fancy his chances and would prefer to euthanise. I don't know any other reptile keepers, my friends say to just leave it and see what happens, or euthanise. There are lots of conflicting experiences and advice on various message boards and very few follow up with updates.

Anyway, husband told me to trust my gut, so he's in for surgery at the moment. The vet is going to see what he can do to stabilise his jaw, and insert the feeding tube. The alternative is leaving him in pain, and if we're going to lose him, I'd rather lose him attempting to fix him rather than just euthanise.

Everything sucks!!

 

[AHBD]

I can imagine that this is very , very stressful for you. There are members here who will follow this thread and happy to lend just a bit of support, being fellow beardie lovers, [ like Cooperdragon, Drache, Sweetiepie9, Destiny and others ] and some who have gone through similar heart -wrenching decisions and situations. Be sure to update ...I wish you the best. Who knows how well he will do, only time will tell.

 

[CooperDragon]

I've been following your story and wish you both the best luck. I know how difficult these decisions are. Dragons are very tough and I've seen them bounce back from some severe illness/injuries (including a broken jaw). Continue to do your best to provide good care for him. I'm sure he'll do the best he can to fight and heal.

 

[Reptrillian]

I really appreciate your kind thoughts and words! He's stayed very active, though he'd usually be in brumation at this time, so I'm hoping he stays tough. I've asked the vet to do extra x rays to see if anything shows up to explain his difficulty breathing through his nose.

He's in surgery now, so I'm just waiting on the phone call. Kept busy doing a deep clean of his tank, switching out the bark substrate for artificial grass, so there's less particulate to irritate his incisions, and so it's softer.

 

[AHBD]

That's the best thing to do , keep busy while waiting. And yes, keep his tank free of anything that can irritate him in any way. You can even use non adhesive shelf liner,it's easy to wipe up any messes.

 

[Reptrillian]

I use kitchen towel for my beardies, they're poop factories. My Rankins has much less terrifying poops, so he's allowed a pretty tank!

 

[Vodevil]

I don't have any advice to add but just wanted to say I totally feel for you and your little guy, I also have a sick baby who I've been assist feeding and my biggest concern has always been accidentally hurting her while desperately trying to help her - it must be very difficult situation. Best of luck with the surgery and aftercare, keep us posted.

 

[Reptrillian]

My order arrived too late for my Draco, but a chameleon rehabber recommended plastic pipettes, they are much softer than syringes: Plastic Transfer Pipettes 3ml, Gradulated, Pack of 100 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IQTSE0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_OD9QwbD5Z1YE7

I've Googled everything, everyone who has a beardie with a broken jaw either housed two together, or had them bite down on a syringe. I thought I was careful, I never forced his mouth open, just used a fingernail to pry it open then put the syringe in the corner, but I wasn't careful enough.

I'm still waiting for the call, I'm worried the news isn't good, my vet knows that I cry very easily for any animals! I took a beardie to him when I volunteered at a shelter over the summer, I'd known her 24 hours, but still cried my heart out when she had to be euthanised.

Please keep thinking good thoughts for us!

 

[Reptrillian]

He made it through surgery! We're going to go pick him up now.

 

[CooperDragon]

That's great news! I hope he has a speedy and full recovery.