Nonsurgical treatment of a bilateral mandibular fracture in a blue-tongued skink

A 1.5-year-old male blue-tongued skink Tiliqua scincoides was presented to a veterinary clinical in Zurich, Switzerland, due to anorexia and an injury on the right lower jaw. A superficial wound on the ventrorostral aspect of the lower jaw, contaminated with sand, was found. A slight swelling was present that appeared soft and elastic on palpation. Instability involving both sides of the mandible was observed. Whole body and skull radiographs in laterolateral and dorsoventral views were obtained. Radiographs revealed a disrupted outline of the Pars horizontalis of the mandible. The fracture line was oblique with a narrow pointed end ventrocaudally and osteolysis was suspected. Based on physical examination and radiographs, a diagnosis of an open, bilateral mandibular fracture and multiple rib fractures as a result of suspected malnutrition and trauma was made. An intraoral plate reaching over all teeth to the corner of the mouth was adapted, and a muzzle made from cotton cloth tape was applied in order to stabilize the fracture. For regular feeding and medication, an oesophagostomy tube was placed on the left lateral neck region. Postoperative treatment included analgesics and antibiotic treatment. After 36 days, the intraoral plate and tape muzzle were removed and radiographs showed fracture alignment with a narrow fracture fissure. The fracture was still clearly visible 70 days after surgery, although callus production was seen ventrally on both mandibles on radiologic examination. Nevertheless, the fracture was stable on palpation. The animal was released from veterinary care in good condition with normal feeding behaviour after 12 weeks of initial therapy