Craniomandibular osteopathy is a disease that impacts the bones in your dog's head including the skull bones, the bones surrounding your dog's middle ear, and, most commonly, the lower jaw bone. This disease is sometimes called swollen jaw.

Craniomandibular osteopathy occurs most commonly in West Highland White Terriers.

Your dog will have difficulty chewing and swallowing food. Weight loss and muscle atrophy around the impacted areas may also develop in addition to jaw pain. Symptoms generally appear around 6 months of age.

In West Highland White Terriers craniomandibular osteopathy is an inherited condition. In other breeds and mixes it is not known what causes this condition except that it is not caused by inflammation.

Your vet will make a diagnosis based on your dog's symptoms and x-rays of the impacted areas.

Your dog will be put on anti-inflammatories and painkillers.

Because, at least with West Highland Terriers, this disease is inherited impacted dogs should not be bred. Likewise, you should not acquire a dog who has a family history of this condition.

No, you cannot get craniomandibular osteopathy from your dog.