Mandibular Disease in Curly Coated Retrievers

The mandible is the lower jaw and represents an important part of the dog's skeleton. The mandible, which is hinged onto the skull, allows the curly coated retriever to grab and chew. Diseases of this bone typically affect the curly coated retriever's ability to feed. In severe cases it can cause the death of your dog.

  1. Osteosarcoma

    • Osteosarcoma or bone cancer is the most common bone tumor in all breeds of dogs, including the curly coated retriever. Osteosarcoma is a malevolent tumor of the bone. Bone cancer is highly aggressive. In more than 90 percent of cases, the cancer has spread to other bones and organs, such as the lungs, by the time the disease is diagnosed. Bone cancer typically occurs in middle age, but can be present in younger dogs. This cancer originates deep within the mandible and causes progressively more pain as it progresses toward the outer edges of the jaw.

    Craniomandibular Osteopathy

    • Craniomandibular osteopathy is a disease of the mandible and other facial bones that has been described in retrievers. This disease becomes evident when the dog shows signs of discomfort during feeding. The first signs occur when the puppy is between 4 and 7 months of age. The ends of the mandible become thickened and tender enough to prevent the dog's mouth from opening fully. The puppy typically develops a high fever at this stage. The intermittent fever, which can be as high as 104 Fahrenheit, lasts for three to four days.

    Mandibular Fracture

    • Mandibular fractures involve the dog's lower jaw. This condition is termed a "simple" fracture if there is only a single break. The condition is termed a "comminuted" fracture when the mandible is broken in many places. In open fractures, the jawbone is visible and easily prone to infection. Retrievers with a broken mandible will exhibit a swollen jaw and will drool excessively. The jaw of these dogs, may hang open, or at least not close correctly. Your retriever can go into shock if the pain and blood loss are severe.

    Osteoporosis

    • Curly coated retrievers are predisposed to this condition. When osteoporosis occurs in the mandible, the jawbone begins to atrophy, or waste away. The bone that remains appears normal, but the jaw becomes progressively more brittle and porous. The bone also becomes progressively thinner. Osteoporosis typically occurs after the puppy is weaned and then receives a diet that is high in meat and phosphorus but low in calcium.