Common causes of oronasal or oroantral fistula (communication between the mouth and the nose) formation include advanced periodontal disease, complications from extraction of a pet’s tooth or incomplete healing after tooth extraction. A fistula can also be caused by abnormally positioned lower canine teeth penetrating into the animal’s nasal cavity.

If your pet suffers from an oronasal fistula, it is not only painful, but presents an ongoing risk of infection because food or the pet’s saliva and oral bacteria can enter the nasal cavity and cause inflammation and infection in the respiratory tract. Sneezing after eating or drinking is a common symptom pets will show if they have this condition.

If you suspect this condition in your dog or cat, it is important to bring them for an evaluation and treatment by a veterinary dental specialist Our veterinary dentists are able to repair these defects using a variety of techniques carefully selected to address the size, location and chronicity of the defect. These techniques include a single mucogingival flap method (moving an area of healthy tissue inside the mouth), or for more chronic or severe cases we may utilize a double flap technique.

Post-operative care after your pet has had an oronasal fistula repair will most likely include an Elizabethan collar, antibiotics and pain medication. An exclusive diet of soft food should be fed and chew toys withheld for 14 days.