Terrier Club Pet_Care Forum Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO)  From:  Message: Shaz January 02 at 10:27 Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Has anyone else come across CMO, I have a 7mth Old Westie named Rosie, and she has just been diagnosed with this condition, I would love to hear from someone who has also experienced it, and let me know, how to tackle it, along with TLC & Painkillers, and let me know, if your Dog is now fully recovered, I am very anxious now, she is really poorly today, as she cannot open her mouth to eat/drink. Beth January 02 at 11:56 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Shaz, I have not had a puppy with this disease but I have heard of it. I am attaching a link where I found some information on it when I was researching something else. It might be helpful to you ... I hope she feels better soon ... hugs, Beth http://www.westieclubamerica.com/health/cmo.html Lynda and the Minkies January 02 at 13:57 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Can't the vet operate on this ? I don't really know about it but surely if she can't eat or drink properly they can help her ?? XXX. Sue January 02 at 14:18 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) That is a good article you have been linked to - I have heard of this and have known that the dogs are fine after puppyhood when the jawbone is done growing, etc. I have heard it can be painful, but it is treatable. Good luck! Sue Jeanne Rooks January 02 at 16:16 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Hi, I received an email from a friend of mine and she gave me your email address to respond to. I have a little Westie (Gracie Mae) who is now a healthy 3-year-old. However, it was not good for her when she was a baby puppy. Gracie was diagnosed with CMO at the age of 7 weeks!!!! I and my vet did not know what was wrong with her and did not know why she would not eat at all and appeared to be in pain when touched on her face. I was so scared for her and did not know what to do! Even my vet was unsure. GOOD NEWS!!! We started giving Gracie Rymadyl (anti-inflamatory) when she was 8 weeks old to help with the inflamation. You would need to check with your vet as to how much Rosie should get for her weight. Gracie was on this drug until she turn 4 months old. This medication only helped with the inflamation, but due to her age and her bones still developing, the vet did not want to put her on Predisone until she was at least 4 months of age. Since Rosie is already 7 months, she could take both Rymadyl and Predisone (steriods) and this will help her. The important thing to do is to start now with the meds. You may have to spoon feed her food (baby food) until her meds kick in and she can tolerate opening and shutting her jaws. It is very important to give the meds every day. Your vet can tell you for how long. I gave Gracie both meds twice a day - I put a little water in a spoon and let the pills desolve before I gave them to her. After a couple of does she was able to lick the meds out of the spoon easily. CMO runs in 10-14 day cycles so even if Rosie starts to feel better, the meds need to be kept up. After a period of time, you can start weaning down (i.e., 2 doses each day for 3 or 4 days, then 1 dose for 3 or 4 days, then start skipping doses every other day). If the inflamation is allowed to continue, her jaws could become FROZEN and she will not be able to open them at all. No surgery can repair the damage! I kept a log of when and how much meds I gave Gracie and how she felt each day. This came in very handy when noticing the days the pain was worse. She was on both meds for several months and then I started weaning her down on both. Then I started weaning her off of Rymadyl gradually . . . like every other day, then every two days, then every three days, so on and so forth until she was off of it. I continued with the Predisone and then did the same thing with it until she no longer took either one. On occasion, before she had been off the medications, I would see that she was a little cranky when I touched her face so I would give her both meds again for a couple of days, then started the weaning off of both as stated above. Eventally, she was totally off both meds!!!! Gracie is now totally healed from the CMO. You cannot tell any thing was wrong except her little jaws seem a little mishapen under her fur. You can't tell by looking at her. She is a little small too as she took the cortisone early on during her growing which seemed to stunt her growth somewhat. Otherwise, except for food allergies, she is just fine. I forgot to tell you that these meds will make Rosie very, very thirsty. Always have plenty (large container) of fresh water for her as she will drink lots of it. I always let Gracie have a puppy pad as I work during the day and I don't want her to have to wait for me to come home. If Rosie does not get plenty of water, she could develop a urinary track infection or colitis. Gracie has had both. So remember about the water. You might try puting water in a dropper and let it trickle down her throat to make sure she stays hydrated. Try to contact your vet as soon as possible to get started on her meds. OK? I will keep both of you in my prayers as I do know what you are going through!!!!! Please let me know what you do with Rosie. Try and get a script for Rymadyl right away for the inflamation! Keep me posted! Jeanne, Gracie and Tucker! jeanne.rooks@integris-health.com Shaz January 05 at 04:04 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) I would like to thank you all for your Information, especially, Jeanne, you have been my Saviour, I`m glad to hear Gracie Mae made a full recovery. Rosie went to the Vets on Friday, and was given Rimadyl, within 2 hours, she was back to her normal self, it was lovely to see her Tongue popping out of her mouth, the Vet has given us enough Tablets for 3 days, as Monday they are going to have her in, and X-ray it, presumably, they will decide then what course of Treatment to give her. She went at 8.20am this morning, so I`ll keep you posted, but at least there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for us. Lynda and the Minkies January 05 at 15:00 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) That's great news, Shaz. XXX. Lynda and the Minkies January 02 at 16:33 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) What a helpful post !!! Only drawback is the negative stuff I've heard and read about Rimadyl which is a worry. But then I guess that if it did the trick for your Gracie it must be OK for that affliction. XXX. Theo, Sara and Casey January 02 at 18:04 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Hi Shaz, I see you are getting great help here. Jeanne does not have internet at home, so you may have to wait over the weekend to hear back from her. There are recent postings on another site (link below) if that might help you feel more at ease about your situation. Sometimes it helps to know you are not alone. Look for the first post titled "My puppy westie is sick- NEED ADVICE - Jennifer O'Connor December 10, 2003" then follow up through her postings, it will help I think. Good luck to you and Rosie and keep us posted. CMO Diana January 02 at 20:31 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Good to hear it's something they can recover from. As for Rimadyl I've used it before on dogs with no ill effects. Good luck with Rosie. Angie and Gang January 05 at 10:48 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) We recently had a little pup in rescue with this - its treatable and with the treatment being of a limited time, she should not suffer any negative reactions from the meds she has to take to calm her pain - but like any meds - watch her carefully. She'll be fine - your nerves will just be wrecked from worry until then. :) Angie WRM Shaz January 05 at 10:52 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Hi Angie, Nerves what Nerves???? I think they have now sunk to my feet, and I`m in panic mode, I`ve phoned the Vets, and she is ok come round from the Aneth. but he wants to talk to us.............I`m hoping its just what course of action/med to administer and when and for how long. I`ll keep you all posted. Sylvia,Finn,Elliot&Marley January 05 at 15:28 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) My Elliot was diagnosed with it,but his is a mild case where he could open his mouth fine, but he can not close it all the way. He was in major pain when he was a pup during his teething. Our vet had no clue what was wrong,but suspected CMO. Took him to a specialist. He confirmed it, he's not on any medication and is doing well, just can't put his teeth together, has a little gap, where his tongue pokes out. You can feel his jawline has a bit of a bump, but it has actually gotten better as he gets older. We were told to just watch him...the vet will keep an eye on him, but so far he's fine. xxSylvia and the boys Shaz January 13 at 06:21 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) I just thought I would update you all on Rosie`s Condition. She has been on "Prednicare" Tabs for 2 weeks now, and everything is going fine, she is eating, barking............and lots of peeing everywhere thanks to the medication, we went back to the Vets yesterday, and he was pleased with her progress, so we now have to reduce the tabs, to 1 per day for a week, then 1/2 per day for a week, but as soon as we see she is in pain, we need to up the dose again, then start to reduce, a vicious circle one might say, but as long as it keeps her out of pain, I will give and do anything for her. Lynda and the Minkies January 13 at 13:28 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) That's good news to hear, Shaz. Hopefully she'll make a complete recovery. XXX. Beth January 13 at 10:53 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Shaz, I am so glad that the treatment is working for Rosie ... you must be thrilled. hugs, Beth Theo, Sara and Casey January 13 at 11:17 Re: Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) Good news, I'm glad Rosie's meds are helping her. She still has a long road ahead but it will all be worth it. May she share many, many years of happiness with you.

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