Most stray dogs hit by a car never get a second chance. A badly broken jaw can mean a dog cannot eat, and a dog that cannot eat does not survive long. But in Vasai, near Mumbai, a team of vets did something rare in India. They used a CT scan, a 3D model and lightweight titanium to build a brand-new lower jaw for a stray dog. Today, the dog they named Jaw is eating on her own again.
The Stray Who Lost Her Jaw
According to The Times of India, a female stray dog was badly hurt in a road accident. The crash left her lower jaw, called the mandible, severely damaged. She was rescued from Nalasopara (East) a few weeks ago by AWAAZ Voice of Stray Animals, a local animal welfare group. She was then taken to Progressive Pet Clinic in Vasai for treatment.
With an injury this serious, one common option would have been to remove the damaged part of the jaw. The vets decided to try something more ambitious. Instead of cutting the jaw away, they wanted to rebuild it, so that its shape and function would stay as close to normal as possible.
How Do You 3D-Print a Jaw for a Dog?
This is the part that has made so many people curious. The team created a "patient-specific" implant, which means it was made only for this one dog. Here is how it worked, step by step:
- A CT scan was taken to measure the exact size of the dog's lower jaw.
- A 3D model of the jaw was made in plastic to check that it fit the dog properly.
- A permanent titanium alloy jaw of the same size was then made using 3D printing.
- The titanium jaw was implanted into the injured dog during surgery.
The operation took about three hours. It was performed by Dr Nishit Gokarn, Dr Gail Barros, Dr Komal Gaikwad and Dr Aadesh. Dr Indraneel of Fredna Vet Diagnostics led the implant design and gave CBCT imaging support, which helped the team plan such a complex repair. Shoy Biomedicals and Orthotech India Pvt Ltd helped with the technical and manufacturing side.
How Is Jaw Doing Now?
The good news is that the surgery worked. Jaw is eating well and is on the path to recovery. "The stray, Jaw, has slowly gained control of her lower jaw movement, and she is eating normally," Dr Gokarn told The Times of India.
He also shared an interesting fact: "Unlike humans, dogs do not excessively chew their food, and only tear and break the food chunks, which are then digested inside." That is one reason a dog can do well with a rebuilt jaw.
Amit Pathak, founder of AWAAZ Voice of Stray Animals, said it was Dr Gokarn who first suggested trying a titanium implant. He called it "a new tech venture in the field of animal welfare" and thanked everyone who helped save Jaw.
Is This the First Time Anywhere?
Not in the world, but it is rare in India. The report notes that the first recorded 3D-printed lower jaw implant in a human was done in June 2011, for an 83-year-old woman in the Netherlands. In animals, 3D-printed jaw implants started appearing in the late 2010s in Europe and the US, in pets like dogs and cats. Seeing this kind of care given to an Indian street dog is what makes the story so special.
What Pet Parents Can Learn
- Do not give up too quickly. A serious injury does not always mean the end. Ask your vet about every option.
- Act fast after an accident. Jaw was rescued and treated in time. Quick care gives an injured animal the best chance.
- Know your local rescue groups. Save the number of a nearby animal welfare group, so you know who to call if you see a hurt stray.
- Watch for eating problems. If your pet suddenly struggles to eat or open its mouth, see a vet soon.
- Indian vet care is growing. From 3D printing to other new methods, like this Hyderabad dog healed with fish skin therapy, new treatments are reaching Indian pets. Services like Kerala's mobile veterinary surgery are also making care easier to reach.
Conclusion
A dog that might have lost half her jaw now has a titanium one, made just for her. Jaw's story shows what can happen when rescuers, vets and engineers work together and refuse to accept the easy answer. It is a reminder that every stray life matters, and that new technology can help animals as well as people.
FAQ
Who is Jaw?
Jaw is a female stray dog from Nalasopara (East) whose lower jaw was badly damaged in a road accident.
What was done to help her?
Vets in Vasai fitted her with a custom 3D-printed titanium alloy lower jaw in a surgery of about three hours.
Can she eat now?
Yes. Her vet says she has slowly gained control of her jaw and is eating normally.
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