Locked jaws

Flash · #1 07-27-2009, 01:32 PM

Hello everybody, everything ok?

Does anybody knows if Tokays have the ability to lock their mouth shut, like some dogs do?

I got a rescue about 15 days ago, took it to the vet for a check up and while the vet was cheking it it "locked" its jaw shut and wouldn´t open it for nothing. Problem is: It is still shut like that. At first it would open its mouth at anything, like most of those rescues do. Now it won´t open it for nothing. Another problem is that yesterday it showed interest in food, it would attack preys, as if it wanted to eat it, but with its mouth shut.

I´m taking it back to the vet to do some X-rays anyways but I´m curious if anybody has ever experienced something like this before.

It´s an adult male and its not at its best conditions. I don´t know its previous owner so I have no clue about this guy´s past. The vet ran fecal exames and did´nt find anything, so this is good news. It was a little dehydrated when it first got here but I´m hydrating him now.

Well, I´ll try to post some pictures, but I´m avoiding any kind of unecessary interaction for now.

Well, if anybody has ever seen something like this, please comment.

Thanks,

Daniel

holocaustto · #2 07-27-2009, 05:36 PM

I've never heard anything about Tokays locking jaws and don't think they actually do.
How are hydrating it if it isn't opening it's mouth?
Keep telling us the evolution...

cliff_f · #3 07-28-2009, 12:11 AM

Just a FYI, dogs locking their jaw is a myth, they CAN NOT lock their jaws. They just have such strong bites that it is hard to open their mouth.

thehotchik1000 · #4 07-28-2009, 12:18 AM

They absolutely can hold their jaws shut! I have a couple pictures of some of my juvies and I use a fish net to capture them to handle. Well they always grab on to the net and i have one picture imperticular where his eyes were actualy sucked in to his head because he was holding on to the net so hard. It took him about half an hour to let go. Ive also had them grab on to the gloves, syringes(for deworrming or medicine) and hold on to these things for dear life.

Now in your situation, I've never heard of something like that. It sounds like xrays are definately warrented. Could be a broken jaw. Maybe a muscular prolapse over the jaw preventing it to open? I would definately be worried about dehydration or starvation. Especially since he is going after food and cannot open his mouth. Im sure he probably isnt licking the enclosure for water when you spray. Because this definately isnt normal. When mine clamp on they are definately able to let go when they feel comfortable.

Please let us know what happens with your rescue. I for one am curious about the cause of this. Hopefully this helps you at least to understand how serious this could be.

Morgan

cliff_f · #5 07-28-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehotchik1000

They absolutely lock their jaws. I have a couple pictures of some of my juvies and I use a fish net to capture them to handle. Well they always grab on to the net and i have one picture imperticular where his eyes were actualy sucked in to his head because he was holding on to the net so hard. I took him about half an hour to let go. Ive also had them grab on to the gloves, syringes(for deworrming or medicine) and hold on to these things for dear life.

That IS NOT them locking their jaws, they are just holding on really tight like you said. They absolutely can not lock their jaws. You are just spreading bad info now. Again they just have so much power it is hard to open their mouth, if you don't believe me do a little research of your own. There is no such thing as a dog or a gecko locking their jaw.

cliff_f · #6 07-28-2009, 12:31 AM

The *Locking* Jaw

thehotchik1000 · #7 07-28-2009, 01:08 AM

Cliff,

It was bad wording. I realized this as soon as I had posted and had read your text. You are correct to say that they cannot "lock" their jaws. They just hold them closed extreamly tightly. I was not trying to say that they actually lock them closed. Like I said I worded my post wrong. Sorry for the confusion.

Morgan

cliff_f · #8 07-28-2009, 01:20 AM

I know a lot of people think animals can lock jaws when it is absolutely not true. But yeah the wording was a little off and it sounded like you believe they did "lock" their jaws. When I speak up on the forums I try to provide facts, there is just to much bad info and lack of info floating around and I see it everyday I get on here.

thehotchik1000 · #9 07-28-2009, 01:27 AM

No, it was just me thinking and typing too quickly. I totally understand why you wouldnt want false information spreading, and neither do I. I own an american pittbull as well and I've had this debate before. Unfortunately I didnt proof read so when I meant to word it one way it went another. I corrected my post so that noone would be confused or mislead in anyway. I do appreciate the correction. Teach me to be in a hurry!

cliff_f · #10 07-28-2009, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehotchik1000

No, it was just me thinking and typing too quickly. I totally understand why you wouldnt want false information spreading, and neither do I. I own an american pittbull as well and I've had this debate before. Unfortunately I didnt proof read so when I meant to word it one way it went another. I corrected my post so that noone would be confused or mislead in anyway. I do appreciate the correction. Teach me to be in a hurry!

I have been known to do that to. I also have owned American pittbull terriers. They are my favorite dog and I hate missleading info about them getting thrown around. I actually have a tat of my fav pitt on my back, may she RIP.