My dog had lockjaw, but it resolved. What caused this episode?

Question

Last night I left neno for 20 mins in my room when I came back it was like he had lockjaw. I couldn't get his mouth open. For 3 hours it was like that then my son opened his mouth and it was like it was fixed. Hes fine now. Why did that happen? Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male

Daniela Jessen, DVM · Accepted Answer

Trismus is the medical term for the condition more commonly called “lockjaw.” It is actually spasms of the chewing muscles which make it hard to open the mouth. A common cause for trismus in dogs is a condition called masticatory muscles myositis (MMM), or inflammation of the muscles of mastication (chewing). The inflammation is caused by an immune mediated attack on the muscles, leading to trismus and wasting away of the muscles at the top of the affected dog’s head. Trismus can also be caused by trauma or conditions such as fractures, dislocation, and arthritis in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint where the upper and lower jaws connect. I would recommend to take the dog to be checked by a vet and please if another episode of 'lockjaw' happens video the episode to show the vet.

My dog had lockjaw, but it resolved. What caused this episode?

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