Owner satisfaction with partial mandibulectomy or maxillectomy for treatment of oral tumors in 27 dogs

Twenty-seven dogs with oral tumors were treated with either rostral mandibulectomy, partial mandibulectomy, or partial maxillectomy. Owner satisfaction with the respective surgical procedure was assessed by telephone survey; 85% of owners were satisfied with the decision to treat their dogs. The percentage of satisfied owners was directly proportional to the increase in pet life span. Although difficulty in eating was noted for 12 (44%) of 27 dogs, pain was perceived to be reduced by the surgery for most animals. All owners found the cosmetic appearances of their dogs acceptable after facial hair regrew. The quality of the pets' lives was perceived by the owners to be most improved after rostral mandibulectomy and least improved after partial maxillectomy.