Todayโs path rounds are on ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ means short (brachy-) mouth (gnath-). Usually this term refers to shortening of the ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ (lower jaw), however it can also refer to shortening of the maxilla (upper jaw).
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Any species can get this condition!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
This condition can be ๐ข๐๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ (no known cause) as part of abnormal development of the animal in utero. Some species, like cattle and sheep, have genetic conditions that can cause brachygnathia. Finally, ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ (mutation-causing agents) can also cause brachygnathia during the animalโs development. Teratogens include things like toxic plants, chemicals and certain medications.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
In minor cases, brachygnathia does not actually impact the animalโs day-to-day life, other than they look a bit silly. If the defect is severe, the animal may have difficulty eating, drinking or nursing, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Diagnosis is pretty straightforward! The animalโs mouth is examined, paying close attention to the teeth to see if anything is out of alignment.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
Unfortunately there is no treatment. Severely affected animals may need to be euthanized if their quality of life is poor.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-4) Examples of cattle with brachygnathia and their X-rays!
5-6) Two other cattle with brachygnathia.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 1. Sixth Edition.
Photos 1-6 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributors Mosier, Wallace, Leipold licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
