  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  U of I logoCollege
of Veterinary Medicine  Back to search page.  Taking it on the
Chin: Repairing Animals' Jaw Fractures  Pet Column for the week
of April 4, 2005  Office of Public Engagement 2001 S. Lincoln
Ave. Urbana, Illinois 61802 Phone: 217/333-2907 Kim Marie Labak
Information Specialist  Because most animals' skulls feature a
protruding jaw, animals suffer jaw fractures more often than
humans do. If they are hit by a car, their head is in the line
of motion for the vehicles bumper or tire. Cats also have the
tendency to turn their heads to bite whatever is attacking them,
so they will often put their faces toward a tire or bumper and
get facial injuries. Jaw fractures also result from infection,
tumors, and metabolic disorders.  Fortunately, veterinary
dentists, such as Dr. Bill Krug, a resident at the University of
Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, have many ways
to help repair jaw fractures.  In head trauma cases at the
Illinois teaching h