Surgical treatment of ballistic oral and facial lesions in a Pit Bull dog: a case report

Abstract

Trauma caused by ballistic projectiles in dogs causes severe lesions and may be fatal. Clinical evaluation is very important to verify the projectile path, its effects and damage caused to the patient. This paper describes the characteristics of a complex facial wound in a Pit Bull, caused by a ballistic projectile. Radiographic examination confirmed the presence of the projectile, transfixing the left maxilla, penetrating the nasal region, and causing avulsion of four teeth. The projectile followed to the left mandible, left lead residues and came back to the tongue, remaining in the mediolateral part of its basis, being surgically removed. The impact affected the three left molar teeth, which remaining fragments and roots needed to be extracted. The patient recovered within one month and the follow-up period persisted for one year,
without intercurrences.