How to Care for a Dog with Trigeminal Neuritis

Trigeminal neuritis (TN) is a relatively rare condition. It affects the trigeminal nerve, which wraps around the face, controlling functions like a dog's blinking reflex and movement of the lower jaw. One of the most common symptoms in a dog with trigeminal neuritis is a "dropped jaw," where the dog's lower jaw is always slightly open. A dog with TN will have difficulty eating and drinking. Since the dog lacks control of the lower jaw, drinking is inefficient and the water will quickly become mixed with saliva. Eating is also difficult for a dog with TN due to a lack of jaw control, and special accommodations will need to be made to assist the dog with eating. Hand-feeding is necessary in some canine TN sufferers.The cause of this medical condition is unknown. Most of these cases are temporary, lasting just a few weeks, though the condition may permanent in a few cases. Damage to the trigeminal nerve can also occur due to facial or head trauma. And in a few cases, tumor growth and certain forms of cancer can compress the trigeminal nerve, causing the deficits that are seen with TN in dogs.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Subcutaneous fluid set
• Raised food bowl
• Liquid syringe and blender
• Prescription anti-inflammatory steroid medication

1. Discuss the medication options with your veterinarian after a diagnosis of TN. Anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids can often bring the dog out of a bout of TN.

2. Monitor the dog for dehydration. A dog with TN cannot drink effectively, and therefore may become dehydrated very quickly. Each case is different, and some dogs can drink more effectively than others, so it's vital that pet owners closely monitor the dog's hydration level. A dehydrated dog's skin will lose elasticity, and the gums will become sticky and dry.

3. Put out several different water bowls if the dog is able to drink fluids, as saliva tends to accumulate in the water, making it unattractive to the dog. Change the water several times a day to ensure fresh water is always available. If other dogs are present in the household, opt for subcutaneous fluid injections to ensure that all of the household pets have access to fresh water.

4. Administer subcutaneous fluid injections. Your veterinarian can send you home with bags of Ringer's Solution, IV tubing and a supply of needles. Fluids are injected under the skin twice daily. The dog's body slowly absorbs the pocket of fluid under the skin, making drinking unnecessary. Remember, many veterinarians are not experienced in treating dogs with TN, so many will not offer subcutaneous fluid injections as an option. Do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian about this option, as it is usually the best option to ensure proper hydration in a dog with TN.

5. Address the dog's eating situation. It is virtually impossible for a dog with TN to eat dry kibble. Therefore, owners must provide hydrated kibble. This is a better option than providing wet food, as the mass of wet food is difficult to eat, whereas the soft, hydrated kibble is easy for the dog to scoop up. To hydrate kibble, add hot water to the kibble and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. The kibble will swell and absorb the water, making the bits soft and easy to swallow.

6. Place the hydrated kibble in a raised food bowl. Dogs with TN will typically use the lower jaw as a "scoop," so it's best to keep the mouth more horizontal when eating. When the food bowl is at floor level, the mouth is in more of a vertical position, causing the kibble to fall out and making eating slow and inefficient. Be aware that a dog with TN who can eat on his own may take 20 or 30 minutes to finish a meal.

7. If a canine TN patient is taking a very long time to eat (30 minutes or more), assisted feedings will be necessary to ensure proper nutrition. Hand-feed the dog using a liquid syringe. Place hydrated kibble or wet food in the blender and mix. Add water, if necessary, to make a thick paste. Use a liquid syringe to feed the dog one bite at a time. For small dogs, a 2-tsp. medicine syringe will work well, while for larger dogs, a large syringe can be purchased at a pet supply store, online or from the veterinarian.

Tips & Warnings

• Dogs with TN are prone to drooling and salivating, particularly during sleep. So it may be necessary to place a towel or blanket over the pet's bed--something that can be switched daily and laundered.

• Since water must be added to the dog's food, it doubles the volume of the kibble, and often the dog will eat less actual kibble. This means fewer calories, since about half of the meal is water. Consider switching to a puppy food, which is higher in calories and fat. For extreme cases, consider adding a nutritional supplement like Nutri-Cal to the dog's food.

• Do not become alarmed if the dog's face becomes sunken and skeletal over time. Dogs with TN do not use most of their muscles of mastication (chewing muscles), and the muscles may atrophy due to lack of use. Over time, the face will gradually become very skeletal in appearance. This is completely normal in dogs with TN, and there is no cause for concern.

• Many veterinarians are not familiar with TN, and therefore may not treat the condition properly (i.e. failing to prescribe subcutaneous fluids). It's best to place your dog in the care of a veterinary neurologist who specializes in TN and other similar conditions.

Resources

• More Info on Trigeminal Neuritis in Dogs