Mandibulectomy & Maxillectomy

Surgical resection is the primary treatment for most oral tumors in dogs and cats, and wider margins give better outcomes — making jaw-segment removal the preferred approach when the tumor involves bone or is too large for a simple excision. Common tumor types treated this way include:

• Melanoma — common and aggressive; surgery provides the best local control
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — more locally invasive than metastatic in many locations; surgery can be curative in the rostral (front) jaw
• Fibrosarcoma — tends to invade bone; wide resection improves local control
• Acanthomatous ameloblastoma (epulis) — benign but locally invasive in bone; mandibulectomy is curative

In some cases mandibulectomy or maxillectomy is also performed for severe jaw fractures or chronic osteomyelitis (bone infection) unresponsive to other treatment.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia with comprehensive pain management. The surgical approach varies by tumor location and size:

• Partial mandibulectomy — one or more segments of the lower jaw are removed while preserving as much normal bone as possible; the tongue remains functional
• Hemimandibulectomy — the entire half of the lower jaw on one side is removed for large or centrally located tumors; the remaining mandible shifts slightly but still supports eating
• Rostral mandibulectomy — the front portion of both lower jaw rami is removed; most commonly performed for tumors of the incisors/canine region
• Partial or total maxillectomy — a portion of the upper jaw, hard palate, and nasal bone is removed, with reconstruction of the soft tissue palate to separate the oral and nasal cavities

The removed segment is submitted in full for histopathology to confirm tumor type, grade, and margin status — the most important factor in planning follow-up care.

Pre-operative staging is essential for oral tumor cases. This typically includes:

• CT scan of the head and jaw to map the tumor's extent, bone invasion, and relationship to critical structures
• Chest X-rays or CT of the thorax to evaluate for pulmonary metastasis
• Fine-needle aspirate or incisional biopsy for tumor identification when possible before surgery
• Regional lymph node evaluation (palpation, aspirate, or imaging)
• Complete pre-anesthetic bloodwork and cardiac evaluation for older patients

Owners should fast the pet the night before surgery. Because feeding and drinking patterns will change during the recovery period, planning soft food options and a feeding routine in advance makes the transition easier for both pet and owner.

Many owners are surprised by how quickly their pet returns to eating and normal activity after jaw surgery. Most dogs and cats eat soft food within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure. A typical recovery progression:

• Days 1–5: the pet is discharged eating soft food; pain medication, antibiotics, and often anti-nausea medication are dispensed; the surgical site is monitored for excessive swelling or bleeding; an Elizabethan collar prevents pawing at the wound
• Days 5–14: oral tissues heal quickly due to excellent blood supply; appetite typically returns fully; any packing materials or temporary splints are removed
• Weeks 2–4: suture removal if non-absorbable sutures were used; soft food is continued for at least 4 weeks; a follow-up appointment reviews pathology results and plans further therapy
• Long-term: some patients benefit from soft diet permanently, especially after larger resections; most otherwise return to a normal routine

Oral tissues have exceptional healing capacity, and the mucosa (mouth lining) rapidly covers the surgical site.

Jaw resections are major procedures but are well-tolerated in dogs and cats with appropriate preparation. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, wound dehiscence (opening), and chronic food-pocketing at the surgical site. Cosmetic changes — a shifted jaw, missing teeth, or mild drooling — are expected and vary with the extent of resection. Most owners report that these changes matter far less than they anticipated once they see their pet eating and engaging normally. Long-term prognosis depends heavily on tumor type and margin status — benign tumors treated with complete excision have excellent outcomes; malignant tumors benefit from oncology consultation about additional systemic treatment after surgery. The surgical and internal medicine teams at Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas work together to coordinate comprehensive care.