Mandibular fractures in the cat. A retrospective study

Vet Surg. 1988 Nov-Dec;17(6):333-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1988.tb01028.x.

Abstract

A retrospective study was made of 75 mandibular fractures in 62 cats. Mandibular fractures comprised 14.5% of all fractures seen in 517 cats. Automobile trauma was the cause of injury in more than 50% of the cases. The mean age of patients was 29.5 months. Symphyseal fractures were most common (73.3%), followed by fractures of the body (16%), condyle (6.7%), and coronoid process (4%). Sixty-seven percent of the fractures were stabilized. Cerclage and interfragmentary wiring were the most common forms of fixation. Antibiotics were administered to 73.6% of the patients. Complications were reported in 24.5% of the cats. Malocclusion and soft tissue infections were the most frequent complications. Complications developed more commonly in cats with multiple or open fractures. Clinical union occurred by an average of 6 weeks (range, 3-12 weeks) for symphyseal fractures, 10 weeks (range, 8-16 weeks) for body fractures, 6 weeks for coronoid fractures, and 6 weeks (range, 4-8 weeks) for condylar fractures.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats / injuries*
  • Cats / surgery
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation / veterinary
  • Male
  • Mandibular Fractures / epidemiology
  • Mandibular Fractures / etiology
  • Mandibular Fractures / surgery
  • Mandibular Fractures / veterinary*
  • Retrospective Studies