Canine trigeminal neuritis is a neurological disorder that affects the dog's ability to eat, drink and blink. The dog's trigeminal nerve controls blinking and the mouth muscles used for chewing. Trigeminal neuritis can occur due to trauma or it may be the result of a tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve. Many cases are deemed idiopathic trigeminal neuritis – there is no identifiable cause of the condition.
In dogs, trigeminal neuritis is often temporary, with symptoms lasting for several weeks. Anti-inflammatory steroid medications like prednisone often lead to an improvement in the dog's TN symptoms, as this reduces the inflammation; inflammation can inhibit the neurological signals that normally travel along the trigeminal nerve, causing symptoms like drop jaw and blinking problems.
In other cases, a dog's trigeminal neuritis is permanent and unresponsive to treatment. These dogs will experience facial muscle atrophy as the muscles "melt away" due to lack of use. Fortunately, even in a case of permanent trigeminal neuritis, dogs can live a fairly normal life with a bit of supportive care. A canine trigeminal neuritis patient will need help eating and drinking. The author, an owner of a Miniature Pinscher who has suffered with TN for more than five years, has extensively researched and experimented with multiple methods for helping a dog who can't drink.
Hydration and Drinking Help for a Dog With Trigeminal Neuritis
Drinking problems are very common in dogs with drop jaw or TN. Due to the dog's inability to control the jaw and tongue properly, the water simply falls out of the dog's mouth. As the dog tries to drink, the water will get thick and syrup-like due to saliva accumulation. This poses a problem for multi-pet households, as one drinking attempt can ruin an entire bowl of water.
There are several ways to prevent dehydration in a dog with TN (notably, the same methods can also be applied to dogs with drop jaw). Consider the following methods for helping a canine trigeminal neuritis sufferer drink water or stay hydrated through other means.
Elevated Water Bowls for Canine TN Patients
Elevated water bowls can be useful for dogs with TN or drop jaw. The position of the elevated water bowl will require the dog to keep his head upright, preventing the water from flowing out of the dog's mouth before he can swallow it.
This option is suitable for mild cases of drop jaw or TN.
Using Water Bottles and Jello to Help Dogs Who Can't Drink Due to TN or Drop Jaw
Water bottles can be a great option for canine trigeminal neuritis sufferers.
Owners can teach the dog how to drink from a large water bottle, such as those created for rabbits and ferrets. Teach the dog to use a water bottle by placing a small dab of peanut butter or cream cheese near the tip of the water bottle's metal tube. As the dog licks off the treat, he'll discover that it's a source of water. It may take a bit of patience and practice, but many dogs with TN can overcome problems drinking using this method.
The water bottle should be positioned above the dog's head. The dog's head should remain tilted upward when drinking. This will enable a dog with TN to drink water, as the fluid will flow to the back of the dog's mouth instead of "falling out" as occurs when trying to drink from a bowl.
This option is suitable for mild to moderate cases of canine TN.
Jello can be a good option for canine trigeminal neuritis patients who can still eat independently. Cubes of Jello can be provided to the dog on a daily basis.
Due to the slippery nature of gelatin, some dogs with TN may find it difficult to pick up the cubes. For these dogs, the owner can assist by hand-feeding the Jello cubes, placing them in the dog's mouth. Changing the size of the Jello cubes can also be helpful; "tall" cubes are easier to pick up, while flat "slices" of gelatin tend to be more difficult for the dog to maneuver.
Consult a veterinarian to determine the dog's recommended daily fluid intake; this will enable you to determine how much Jello the dog should be eating.
Like any new food, Jello should be gradually integrated into the dog's diet. Otherwise, diarrhea and upset stomach can result.
This option is suitable for dogs with mild to moderate trigeminal neuritis; dogs with severe TN lose all ability to eat independently, making this option unsuitable.
Subcutaneous Fluid Injections for Dogs Who Can't Drink Water
Subcutaneous fluid injections are a great option for dogs with trigeminal neuritis, particularly dogs who suffer from a moderate to severe case. Once or twice a day, the owner must inject the dog with ringer's solution using a basic IV set-up. The fluid forms a "bubble" under the dog's skin and it's absorbed throughout the day. Subcutaneous injections of ringer's solution make drinking unnecessary; the dog will never feel thirsty.
Many owners are hesitant to give an injection to a dog, but the learning process takes less than ten minutes and most dogs become accustomed to the injections within a matter of days. For canine TN cases, the benefits of fluid injections are significant. Many canine trigeminal neuritis patients could spend an hour or more per day trying to drink and many suffer from chronic dehydration due to their inability to drink effectively.
Giving ringer's solution injections is associated with risks: the dog may get an infection if the injection site isn't cleaned properly and chronic over-injection can result in breathing problems due to lung "flooding," which occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the lungs. For a small breed dog, supplies will cost $15 USD or less per month; in a large or giant breed dog, supplies could run $50 USD or more per month.
This option is most suitable for moderate to severe cases of trigeminal neuritis, though even a dog with mild drop jaw or TN may benefit from fluid injections on a supplemental basis.
Canine Trigeminal Neuralgia vs. Trigeminal Neuritis
It's important to note that trigeminal neuritis is different from trigeminal neuralgia; these are two different and distinct conditions. Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that can be extremely painful.
According to veterinary neurologist Gena A. Silver, canine trigeminal neuritis sufferers likely experience numbness or a tingling sensation in the jaw and affected areas of the face. Generally speaking, dogs with trigeminal neuritis don't exhibit symptoms of pain, and with supportive care, canine TN patients can live a happy, fulfilling life, despite of their condition.
To learn more about canine trigeminal neuritis, read Trigeminal Neuritis in the Dog: TN, a Neurological Condition Affecting a Dog's Eating and Drinking
Sources:
- Dr. Gena Silver, DVM. Veterinary Neurologist, Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, Woburn, MA.
- Dr. Michael Levine, DVM. Interviewed May 2008.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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