For Emergencies:
Ziggy the cat came in to see Emma after being missing for five days. When he finally returned home, his owner noticed that his jaw appeared out of alignment and there was visible trauma to his left eye.
A CT scan revealed that Ziggy had suffered extensive head trauma, most likely as the result of a road traffic accident. His most significant injuries included:
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A fracture through the right mandibular ramus
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A displaced, comminuted fracture of the left mandible, just behind the canine tooth
These injuries left Ziggy’s jaw very unstable and meant he was unable to eat properly.
CT images showing Ziggy’s fractures prior to surgery
Surgical Treatment
Surgery was performed to stabilise Ziggy’s jaw:
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The right ramus fracture was repaired using two small 1.5 mm locking plates
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The left mandibular fracture was repaired using dental bonding and wires, creating a secure scaffold to support the jaw while it healed
Ziggy’s post-op radiographs
As soon as the jaw was stabilised, Ziggy began lapping up soft food, and a soft diet was continued throughout his recovery period.
Recovery & Outcome
After six weeks, follow-up radiographs showed that the fractures were healing well with no complications, allowing the dental bonding to be safely removed.
Ziggy is now back to his normal self, eating well and feeling great, we’re just waiting for all of his hair to grow back! 💚💙
The handsome Ziggy recovering well at home!
