Anyone ever have a DOG with TMJ?

[maingon]

Just yesterday After our dogs were playing our older dog ( 13 years old) when she opens her mouth wide or yawns and then goes to close it, it makes a clicking type noise and she has a hard time closing her mouth for a minute, it shakes. Almost like its out of the socket but then I went online and I am thinking it might be TMJ. once she closes her jaw she acts normal. Anyone ever have a Dog with TMJ? if so how did the vets treat them?

If she is doing this tomorrow, I will call the VET. In the past I noticed her doing this a couple times, but yesterday Afternoon after she was running and playing with our little dog She started doing it after opening her mouth wide. She acts normal barking but when opeing too wide her jaw gets "locked" but before yesterday she acted fine. Eating bones, barking etc.

Does TMJ get inflammed during parts of the year? is TMJ life threating or anything or is it easily reduced or elimiated with Medication etc?

[Julia423]

I have not had personal experience with TMJ, but it is possible for a dog to have it...although it's probably not common. Because TMJ affects the skeletal and muscular structure of the jaw, I doubt that medication could help with the exception of something for any pain experienced or inflamation of tissues. There are methods used to correct TMJ, the most extreme being surgery (that would be my last resort). I also doubt that TMJ itself is life threatening, but your dog could stop eating due to pain or a misaligned jaw.
Your instinct to go to the vet is a good one. He/she will help you to determine if it is indeed TMJ...it could be a dental problem. Good luck and let us know how your girl is doing. :)

[maingon]

Thanks. Gonna take her tomorrow morning. Gonna buy some Liquid or Soft food tonight so she doesnt have to Chew Hard, since I dont know if it hurts eating or not.

[maingon]

Update

Took her to the vet and it turn out she had too bad teeth that were loose and thats what was causing the Noise and having a hard time closing her mouth when opened wide. Glad it wasnt anything like TMJ or anything.

So they cleaned her teeth and pulled a few teeth out. So shes recovering right now, get to pick her up later this afternoon