My boerboel shows pain (discomfort) while opening his mouth widely

[Antonis Milou]

It's been a few days now since I realised that my almost 3year old male Boerboel has pain in his mouth.
I tried to open his mouth but he screamed like a baby, then I realised that something is causing him pain. He eats very carefully and avoid eating hard food. I took him to the vet who gave me some antibiotics, which made him feel better after a couple of days but still he refuses opening his mouth more than a couple of inches. He is very alert and willing to play, nothing have changed to his behaviour, but I can see him being very careful while eating.
Last night I was looking on the Internet and came across a post where the dog owner was describing almost identical symptoms to my dog, his vet mentioned "Masticatory myositis". I don't know how bad this is and how should I take care of! Anyone who has experienced something similar please share your thoughts. Also what else could it be?
I would do anything to treat my boy, please help me.

Regards
Antonis

[Lee May]

Hi Antonis, a thing or two to check for is open his side lips, and check all teeth for cracks or rot. If you can ope his mouth and make sure nothing is sticking in gums or severe swelling anywhere. If he won't allow will have to take back to vet and put under to check and do xrays. of jaws throat area. Good luck to you and hope its something simple. Peace Lee

[kate nicholson]

Antonis, you may also look for a chiropractor to check him out.  I had an akita with TMJ and he had problems opening his mouth.  Chiropractor helped him a lot!

[Lee May]

Hey Kate What's TMJ? Haven't herd of it. If Pinched neck disk wouldn't presndone do the same Job.? Thanks.

[Marco]

 Antonis Milou sorry to hear you are having this issue with your boerboel,  I hope its not something serious.  Here is some info I found on TMJ, and Masticatory Myositis.  I hope this may be of help to you, and I wish you all the best. 

Managing TMJ in companion animals

Masticatory Myositis 

[kate nicholson]

Temporomandibular joint problem. The jaw locks or gets arthritis or even muscle spasm. People get it all the time 

Lee May said:

Hey Kate What's TMJ? Haven't herd of it. If Pinched neck disk wouldn't presndone do the same Job.? Thanks.

[Lee May]

Thanks Kate very much. and Marco for the link as well.I figured it was spinal nerve related. Thanks again. Learn something new everyday. Peace

[Antonis Milou]

Thank you all for your kind responses,

i took Mihlo to the vet and did a blood test, the vet says its not Myositis because the blood test didn't show, also he has no other symptoms except pain while opening his mouth widely. He is taking anti inflammatories (Rimadyl) and "Synoquin tasty" for almost two weeks now and he is a bit better. I can see him being carefull when taking something in his mouth but he can chew hard treats. He shows zero pain while chewing but pain when opening his mouth widely.

I checked his teeth and lips but couldn't see anything.

[kate nicholson]

Antonis, my kit wasthe same.  when he opened wide I could actually hear his jaw click.  Really if you can find a good animal chiropractor nearby I would give that a shot!

 

[Antonis Milou]

Kate,

Don't think there is an animal chiropractor in Cyprus :(.
What was the actual problem of your dog? Was it solved after that treatment?

[Antonis Milou]

Just took mihlo to the vet for some blood and muscle sumples, I'll let you know as soon as we got results, cross fingers

[Lee May]

Good luck Antonis, hope things turn out good. Keep us posted. Thanks.

[Jennifer]

I know this is a bit old but if you can find a holistic vet, that doctor may be able to do chiropractic adjustments.