Background: Traumatic injuries involving the lower lip are not uncommon in cats, especially following car accidents or bite wounds. In such cases, the soft tissues of the lip are torn away from their normal attachment to the mandibular margin, exposing the gingiva and underlying bone. Because the lower lip is more loosely attached than the upper, it is affected more frequently. Cats with this condition usually present with bleeding, facial swelling, and difficulty prehending food. Immediate surgical repair is crucial to prevent secondary infection, necrosis, and long-term cosmetic or functional complications. Methods: A two-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was presented after being hit by a car. The animal had a visible detachment of the lower lip with moderate hemorrhage and swelling around the chin. On physical examination, instability at the mandibular symphysis was evident. The cat showed mild dehydration and refused to eat. Radiographic imaging confirmed a symphyseal separation. Bloodwork indicated leukocytosis, consistent with an inflammatory response. The cat was stabilized with intravenous fluids before surgery. Prophylactic antimicrobial therapy was initiated using clindamycin (۵.۵ mg/kg SC, q۱۲h) and enrofloxacin (۵ mg/kg IM, q۲۴h) to control potential bacterial contamination and osteomyelitis. Under general anesthesia, the mandibular symphysis was aligned and fixed with orthopedic wire in a simple encircling fashion. The avulsed lip was repositioned and secured with interdental mattress sutures, carefully placed between the mandibular incisors to achieve proper tension and restore the normal anatomic contour. The oral mucosa was trimmed minimally and apposed without tension to support rapid healing. Results: Recovery from anesthesia was smooth, and the cat began to eat soft food within the first postoperative day. Antibiotics were continued for ۱۰ days. One week after the operation, follow-up radiographs showed good alignment and stable fixation. By day ۱۴, mucosal healing was complete and all sutures were removed. The patient exhibited normal feeding behavior, and no functional or cosmetic abnormalities were observed at re-examination. Conclusion: This case illustrates that timely repair of a lower lip avulsion associated with mandibular symphyseal separation can result in excellent recovery when appropriate fixation and tissue handling are performed.
Interdental suturing provided effective stabilization of the lip margin, while wire fixation ensured rigid support for the mandible. The combined technique offered a practical and reliable method for achieving both structural and cosmetic restoration in feline patients.