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Should we keep jaw mobilized on our Lab that was shot?
Hi,
Our dog Sawyer was shot by a hunter over christmas holiday. He made it home, we found him and rushed him to our local vet who was not equipped for gun shot wounds they referred us to Auburn University Vet Clinic in Alabama, we live in Georgia. Sawyer was very lucky to be alive, however we need a second opinion. the bullet entered through the jaw and through the esophagus and lodged between two of his vertebra. Upon entry it shattered his jaw but did not damage the joint. After two surgeries and two weeks in the hospital, he is home recovering. We feed him 4 times a day through a feeding tube and water him 4 times a day between feedings with medicine administered every 4 and 8 hours. He’s doing well and gaining weight. However, because of the injury he sustained the doctors were unable to replace any of the bone that was shattered with pins or other material, and have fitted Sawyer with a cloth muzzle that they suggest he wear for 6 to 8 weeks to try and let the jaw heal. They said that they had never experienced this type injury and this was only a test. He’s worn it for two weeks and we’re very careful with him, he in staying in the house with us on the couch during the day and in a crate at night. He is getting better each day and it is becoming harder to keep him from trying to move his jaw and return to his normal life. He is two years old, which I think really has helped in his recovery, he is a very fit and strong willed boy. We want what’s best for Sawyer, would you please give us your opinion?
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I think you should continue to keep the jaw immobilized as well as possible. Another 6 weeks is a short time compared to the rest of his life. To remove the muzzle and allow him to return to “his normal life” would be ill advised.