An oronasal fistula develops when there is a hole in the connection between the nasal canal and any of these three bones that make up the oral cavity (incisive, maxilla, or palatine).
This gap enables water, food, and other things to enter from the oral cavity into the nasopharynx, which ultimately leads to respiratory infection, coughing, watery discharge, and inflammation of the nasal cavity.
It is essential to have these holes surgically repaired in order to eliminate the risk of foreign items entering the nasal cavity and the respiratory system. A veterinarian can close an oronasal fistula while the patient is under general anesthesia. But what about the cost of oronasal fistula dog repair cost?
The cost of repairing an oronasal fistula in your pup can run anywhere from $300 to $600, inclusive of anesthesia and drugs, depending on the degree of the damage that has to be fixed as well as the general cost of living in your region.
What factors lead to the formation of oronasal fistulas in animals?
Even while oronasal fistulas are more frequent in dachshunds, any breed of dog or cat is at risk of developing one. The bone surrounding the pet’s teeth, especially the upper incisors, upper canine teeth, and upper premolars, might weaken when the pet has a dental illness.
This can lead to a space being created between the mouth and the respiratory system. Oronasal fistulas are most frequently connected to the upper canine teeth, but they can also occur in the upper incisor region.
The most prevalent reason for this kind of fistula is a condition called periodontal disease. If dental disease is allowed to advance to a severe extent, bone loss will result in the formation of pockets that are filled with infection.
In most cases, extraction is required when bone resorption and infection are present since this gets rid of the source of the pain as well as the germs. If the large canine tooth with the long root needs to be extracted, an oronasal fistula may develop as a complication if enough bone is removed during the procedure to expose the passageway that connects the oral cavity with the nasal cavity.
Other than that, oronasal fistulas may also result from the following:
- Cancer
- Tooth extraction
- Penetration by a foreign object
- Trauma
- Cleft palate
What kind of treatment is given for oronasal fistulas in dogs?
An oronasal fistula has the greatest prognosis when it is treated as soon as possible once it has been diagnosed.
Interesting Fact: Fistulas that have been present for a long time and are chronic are difficult to mend, and they never completely heal on their own.
After determining that your dog has an oronasal fistula, your veterinary professionals will devise a treatment strategy for the condition.
If this problem persists, it’s possible that your pet has a respiratory tract infection caused by food particles that she has ingested; in this case, an antibiotic treatment course will be required before the repair can be performed.
In that case, your vet will have to perform an extensive surgical treatment that calls for general anesthesia in order to seal the fistula. After your vet has successfully put your pet under anesthesia, he will assess the depth of the fistula, clear the area of any debris, and look for good gum tissue.
Most vets use something called a mucogingival flap to seal an oronasal fistula (Also known as the double flap technique). This flap is a segment of gum tissue that is sutured over the fistula. This can be difficult, particularly in mouths that have been seriously damaged and do not have any healthy gum tissue.
After the treatment, you will have the arduous chore of stopping your dog from biting on anything hard for two to three weeks in order to allow the periodontal flap to grow over the fistula. This includes prohibiting your pet from gnawing on dry dog food, treats, or toys.
Prognosis
Healing often takes place without any complications following the repair of an oronasal fistula. However, the flaps that were sutured into place might fail in a large but still very rare number of instances, leading to the fistula to re-open.
The persistent stress on the flap’s borders created by the dog inhaling in and out via its nose is the primary cause of the failure of an otherwise well-positioned flap.
Your dog vet will perform a surgical procedure to replace the defective flap in certain instances. In contrast, in other instances, the vet will leave the fistula to repair by means of a second intention. Second intention healing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, but it is not a horrible process and does not have any impact on the dog’s quality of life.
An oronasal fistula that does not close entirely is not uncomfortable for the animal and does not have a harmful impact on either its oral or general health. However, some oronasal fistulas do not seal completely in the end.
To put it another way, the main issue is not the rupture itself but rather the issue that led to the formation of the fistula. The treatment of the condition that led to the formation of the fistula is your vet’s primary objective. Because of this, the outlook for the dog’s dental and overall health is dependent on whether or not they are able to address the issue:
The prognosis is extremely favorable to great when an oronasal fistula is brought on by periodontitis, a foreign substance, trauma, or malocclusion.
The prognosis might vary depending on whether the oronasal fistula was caused by a tumor in the oral and nasal cavities or was a congenital abnormality.
How can you protect your pet from getting an oronasal fistula?
The best way to avoid an oronasal fistula from developing in your pet’s mouth is to provide them with excellent dental care.
Good dental hygiene protects against bone loss and infection, both of which have the potential to impair the periodontal support systems.
Oral bacteria have a tendency to attach themselves to heart valves and then migrate through the circulation, where they can infect other organs and important bodily systems. Maintaining good dental health for your pet helps to keep their entire body healthy. Maintaining the dental health of your pet may be accomplished by doing the following:
- Provide dental chews and rewards (they take care of your pet’s oral health).
- Brush their teeth consistently (regular dental cleanings)
- Invest in a food or water ingredient that has been shown to minimize the formation of plaque
- Be sure to keep up with your pooch’s regular dental checkups and cleanings
What signs should I look for to determine whether my dog has an oronasal fistula?
If the fistula is big enough, it is possible to detect an oronasal fistula during an awake oral examination. Oronasal fistulas might be difficult to diagnose in patients who have not undergone a comprehensive examination while under the influence of anesthesia. The vast majority of oronasal fistulas are diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs of sinusitis, such as nasal discharge and sneezing, or in individuals with severe dental disease.
Conclusion
An opening or connection between the oral cavity and the nasal cavity is referred to as an oronasal fistula. This is a complication that arises as a result of periodontal disease or the loss of any upper (maxillary) teeth, most frequently the canine tooth. Sneezing, poor breath, and nasal discharge are all indicators that you could have this ailment.
Dental x-rays are necessary to evaluate an oronasal fistula to check for impacted tooth or root structures. The periodontal flap, debridement of the site, maintenance of blood supply to the flap, and tension-free repair of the site are the components of surgical repair that ensure proper healing. Finally, the cost of repairing an oronasal fistula in your pup can run anywhere from $300 to $600.
