Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic management of craniomandibular osteopathy in a dog

Background: Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) is a self-limiting condition that causes bone proliferation predominantly, mainly affecting tympanic bullae, branches of the jaws and temporomandibular joints. The disease appears to most commonly affect specific dog breeds between three and eight months of age, with Terrier breeds being predisposed due to potential recessive genetic factors. While its exact etiology remains elusive, associations with viral or bacterial infections have been documented in other breeds. Clinical manifestations typically include pain, fever, facial edema, dysphagia, anorexia, dehydration, excessive salivation, and weight loss. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs, radiographic imaging, and histological examination, with visualization of generalized thickening of the bone trabeculae. Pain control is crucial to improving the prognosis of the disease, and usually involves anti-inflammatory and/or opioid medications for pain control, alongside nutritional support. Prognosis varies widely, with euthanasia being a consideration in severe cases. This paper aims to present a detailed clinical case of craniomandibular osteopathy in an American Bully dog, outlining its clinical evolution, diagnostic findings, therapeutic interventions, and the longitudinal monitoring of clinical, radiographic and laboratory parameters over approximately one year.