CRANIOMANDIBULAR OSTEOPATHY IN DOGS

Craniomandibular osteopathy is a skeletal disease that occurs mainly i n certain breeds of young terriers and occasionally in nonterrier bree ds. Although the cause of the disorder is debated, evidence indicates an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance in West Highland white t erriers. Affected dogs usually show signs of mandibular swelling, droo ling, difficulties in prehension, and pain on opening the mouth. Radio graphic changes are usually bilateral but can be asymmetric. Biopsy ma y be advisable to verify atypical cases, such as in rarely affected br eeds with lesions confined to the mandible, especially if the lesions are unilateral. Craniomandibular osteopathy is inherited as an autosom al recessive trait in West Highland white terriers, and a congenital p redisposition may exist in other terriers. The mandible and the tympan ic bullae-petrous temporal bone region are commonly affected. The dise ase is usually nonfatal and self-limiting. Antiinflammatory drug thera py may help reduce clinical signs.