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Trigeminal Neuritis in the Dog
TN is a Neurological Condition Impairing a Dog's Eating and Drinking
©
Mia Carter
May 9, 2008
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuritis or TN include a "dropped jaw" and other facial abnormalities and this rare neurological condition can change the life of dog and owner.
Trigeminal Neuritis (TN) is a rare neurological condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which wraps around the face, controlling functions such as the eyes’ blinking reflex and the jaw’s ability to open and close normally. This condition is temporary in most cases and supportive care is key to helping a dog with TN.
Dogs affected with TN will typically present with blinking deficits and a “dropped jaw,” where the lower mandible constantly hangs open. The dog often exhibits abnormal mandibular coordination and sensation, but in the early stages, the animal does maintain some control of the jaw.
Another less obvious symptom involves the blinking reflex, which is abnormal in dogs that are suffering from this condition.
“We’re not sure what causes TN in many cases. Any trauma or damage to the trigeminal nerve – be it from an impact or injury or from a tumor – can lead to TN, but in a significant portion of canine cases, this is an idiopathic condition where the precise cause is unknown,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, a practicing veterinarian and professor of veterinary medicine.
Due to its rarity, TN is most often diagnosed following an examination by a veterinary neurologist. Additional diagnostic testing, like an MRI, is also routine since TN can be a secondary condition, stemming from a tumor or a skeletal abnormality.
How Long Does TN or "Drop Jaw" Last?
Fortunately, in a vast percentage of cases, TN is temporary, often disappearing within a couple weeks of the initial onset.
“In a majority of TN cases, treatment consists of anti-inflammatory steroid drugs like prednisone, which serves to lessen inflammation involving the trigeminal nerve. Injuries and other abnormal contact with the nerve cause inflammation, so the steroids decrease that inflammation and symptoms improve. Certainly, it’s not a cure-all, but we do see improvement in many TN patients,” Dr. Levine explained.
Care for a Dog With Trigeminal Neuritis
Supportive care is also helpful for dogs suffering from a bout of TN. Feeding soft foods from a raised food bowl can make eating easier, while teaching a dog to drink from a large water bottle – like the models typically used for rabbit and ferret cages – can make for easier drinking in TN sufferers.
In a small number of dogs suffering from TN, the condition is permanent, leading to atrophy of the facial muscles and an inability to eat and drink independently. For those pets, it’s necessary to provide more comprehensive supportive care, like hand-feeding meals, daily subcutaneous fluid injections, and hydrating eye drops.
Fortunately, this condition is fairly uncommon and permanent TN cases are even rarer. But even in those dogs who suffer from TN long term, there is hope. Dr. Levine concluded, “With supportive care, long term sufferers can live a happy, fulfilling life – it just takes a bit of creativity and the obstacles of TN can be overcome.”
The copyright of the article Trigeminal Neuritis in the Dog in Dogs is owned by Mia Carter. Permission to republish Trigeminal Neuritis in the Dog in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Feb 5, 2009 11:03 AM
Guest :
I have 3 golden retrievers. One has had Horners Syndrome took about 6 to 8
weeks for it to clear. Now another one has Trigeminal Neuritis. With
predisone he is progressing and able to eat on his own again. I cooked for
him making small balls of chicken and vegetables and hand feeding. Water
was the biggest problem. Since this is so rare, could it be caused by
something we are doing? We do not put collars on our dogs, but use a
harness. They both were very active and happy during the process of getting
well.
Mar 16, 2009 6:53 PM
Guest :
We have a Berense Mountain Dog, Hayden. Three weeks ago we thought he had
a stroke & since has been diagnosed with TN, or, Drop Jaw. We are hand
feeding him and his appetite is good. However, he will not take to any
devices we have thoght up to keep him hydrated. Large size water vessel
like are used for rabbits, turkey baster, the hose, holding an ice cube for
him to lick are but nothing works. He lost seven lbs last week and the Vet
thinks it was due to dehydration. Please help as we are running out of
ideas as is our vet. Anyone have any ideas to share? Thank You.
Mar 17, 2009 6:47 AM
Mia Carter :
For Hayden's owner who posted a question on March 16:
I've
addressed your question about how to prevent dehydration in a dog with
trigeminal neuritis in my latest blog entry, which can be found at the
following URL (you can copy and paste it into your browser's navigation
bar):
http://www.suite101.com/blog/miacarter/q_how_do_i_prevent_dehydration_in_
dogs_with_trigeminal_neuritis
I hope Hayden is feeling better
soon!
-Mia Carter
Pet Care Feature Writer, Suite101
Jun 13, 2009 2:17 PM
Guest :
My lab's jaw won't close and she is not able to eat any food. I bought a
turkey baster and am able to get her to eat and drink now by placing her
food on the back of her tongue. I also got her prescription food so she is
getting good nutrition.
Oct 10, 2009 8:25 PM
Guest :
Hello, I have a lab/pit mix who was diagnosed with TN 3 1/2 weeks ago. She
has recently starting moving her lower jaw from time to time and I was
wondering how the healing process went for those who had dogs with this
issue. I'm concerned becuase everywhere I turn it says 2-3 weeks and it
should go away like it camev (out of no where). Any info would be greatly
appreciated. Hope all your buddies are doing well.
Oct 11, 2009 5:41 AM
Mia Carter :
To the owner of the lab/pit mix:
I'm sorry to hear your girl is
unwell.
I have a dog with TN, which is what prompted me to write this
article. The many specialists I've seen (8 in all) said that if she emerged
from this, it would be a gradual, with her slowly regaining control of her
jaw over time. As the nerve heals and swelling of the nerve is reduced, she
would gradually regain control.
Unfortunately, in my case, my
dog never improved. She still has TN more than 3 years later. There is no
apparent cause in my dog's case. But I can tell you that this worst-case
scenario isn't so bad. My dog was able to eat for the first year with TN,
but that slowly became more and more difficult. So now we hand-feed her
with a liquid syringe and she receives daily fluid injections at home. All
in all, she's a very happy dog and she lives a totally normal life aside
from her assisted feedings and injections.
Hopefully, your girl
is in the beginning stages of emerging from this condition since she's
showing improvement. My girl never showed any improvement - ever. In fact,
she got worse for a while as the facial muscles melted away from non-use.
Her face looks very skeletal now without the muscles used for chewing. I
imagine the changes could be very dramatic if your dog has the predominant
pit bull facial muscles; when they atrophy from non-use, your dog will look
very different. But it occurs very gradually so it only becomes shocking
when you compare "before and after" photos. Just know that the
longer she's affected, the less likely it is that she'll recover. But if
she does recover, it will be slow. But please have peace of mind knowing
that the worst case scenario isn't that bad. ;-)
-Mia Carter
Pet Writer, Suite101
Oct 14, 2009 8:14 AM
Guest :
My dog Murray, a 3 yr old Leonberger, has been initially diagnosed with
this disorder. We are seeing the Neurologist today to confirm. He is able
to eat on his own but unable to drink efficiently enough to hydrate
properly. We are administering subcutaneous fluids and hope that this
resolves as is typical...in a few weeks.
Otherwise he is quite a happy
and sweet boy, as is his nature.
Thanks for all the info.
Oct 29, 2009 9:05 PM
Guest :
Thank you Mia! I too am sorry your baby isn't well. Brooke (my lab/pit mix)
has since gained full control of her jaw but her left eye is still not
dialated equally with the right and she still has a sunken/amaciated face.
With any luck she'll regain all her facial muscles and her eye will return
to normal. I'm sending my best wishes for all your babies as I know what
it's like to see them go through this. Thanks again and best wishes!!!
8 Comments
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