Maltese Shitzu 14 yo

Question
I have a female Maltese Shitzu named Zoe who is 14 years old and has had her parvo and kennel cough vaccinations.She is in pretty good health for her age and is energetic and eats well. She has a heart murmur and a collapsed trachea which doesn't bother her too much. She is not on any medication currently.
A few months ago Zoe developed a problem with her mouth area, causing her to paw at it, as if it is hurting her. She rubs her face along the floor and walls trying to stop the pain. Most of the time this happens after she has eaten or drank something. Her mouth will tremor and shake, and look like it is painfull. I have taken her to the vet, who examined her looking at her teeth, gums and anything inside her mouth that could be bothering her. Nothing was found. She was put on a course of prednisone for one week which did seem to help.
Now, after a few months it has come back. She doesn't have many teeth due to extractions over her liftime, but I don't think this is an issue. It looks like her jaw could be out of place??? Some days she is fine and others not good. The episodes last for about 10 - 15 minutes......but she can be uncomfortable all day on a bad day.
I would appreciate your guidance as I am at a bit of a loss.
Thanks Suzanne (Australia)

Answer

mandibular symphasis It's very possible that her mandibular symphasis could be loose. That is the little joint that connects the lower jawbone together in what we call a chin.

We have seen older dogs have a loosening of this joint from periodontal disease, calcium loss in the bones and from being hit by a car.

You mentioned that she has had many teeth pulled in the past and this can also contribute to this problem.

I would get her jaw x-rayed to see if that is the problem. She may have a hairline fracture in her jawbone also from thinning bone and past dental work.

Prednisone might actually make the problem worse since it tends to pull calcium out of the bones during long term usage.

I am enclosing a picture of a mandibular symphasis that has been wired only to know show you what I am talking about.

I think it's worth having your vet look into it.
If you do find out what it is please let me know.