• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Dental corner: To gag or not to gag-that is the question

February 11, 2015
Mary L. Berg, BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS (dentistry)

Why you should trade your spring-loaded mouth gag for a gentler solutionespecially for cats.

Many veterinary practitioners and technicians have used mouth gags in cats and dogs for years. The spring-loaded mouth gags help the veterinarian or technician hold the mouth open, allowing them to complete procedures in the oral cavity. Have you ever thought about the effects of that spring on the animal? If you have ever had dental work, you know that even holding our own mouths open for periods of time can lead to jaw tenderness and pain. The same is true in our companion animals. 

A study published in the The Veterinary Journal (2014) showed that the spring-loaded gags generate constant force that could contribute to bulging of the soft tissues between the mandible and the tympanic bulla. This force leads to the compression of the maxillary arteries as they course through the osseous structures. In cats the maxillary arteries are the main source of blood supply to the retinae and the brain. 

In this study six healthy cats were anesthetized. Comparisons where made using electroretinography (ERG) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Scans were done without a gag in place, using various sized plastic mouth gags causing submaximal mouth opening and spring-loaded gags creating maximal mouth opening. No changes occurred in smaller gags. One animal had an abnormal MRA on a 42mm plastic gag. The maximal mouth opening produced altercations in the ERG waveforms consistent with circulatory compromise in one of the six cats and reductions in the signal intensity during MRA in four of the six cats. 

The reduction of the blood flow through the maxillary arteries to the retinas and brain can potentially result in temporary or permanent blindness and sometimes neurologic abnormalities. Use caution when placing a gag and minimize the duration of its use to also reduce the risk of masticatory muscle strain and injury to the temporomandibular joints. Opening the mouth wider may not be an advantage in oral surgery. As the mouth is opened wider, the tissues are stretched and become more difficult to retract to allow procedures such as dental cleanings or tooth extraction. 

Advertisement

So instead of reaching for that spring-loaded mouth gag, create a gentler gag by cutting the enclosed end off on a 25 gauge needle cover and place that between the maxillary and mandibular canines. 

Mary Berg BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS (dentistry) is CEO and founder of Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education in Lawrence, Kansas. 

Related Content:

DentistryTechnicians
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
Targeting care for senior cats and their caretakers
Targeting care for senior cats and their caretakers

Advertisement

Latest News

Pet Advocacy Network honors outstanding contributions to the pet care community

Traditional and holistic treatments for giardia

ASU trustees approve the creation of a new veterinary school

6 tips for first-time dog owners

View More Latest News
Advertisement