Page 1 - Clinical Connections- Summer 2021
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CLINICAL CONNECTIONS
RVC Clinical Services Newsletter Summer 2021
MISTREATED DOG SAVED BY RVC NEURO AND
ORTHOPAEDICS COLLABORATION
small crossbreed dog that was Gladys had a microchip, but it was a an abscess in the muscles surrounding the
thrown from a van and found to foreign implant and no details could be vertebral fracture, which was thought to
A have multiple injuries made a good obtained, and the van’s number plate was originate from the surrounding musculature
recovery thanks to cutting-edge treatment not recorded. The other dog, a lurcher, and a traumatic abdominal wall rupture.
and excellent aftercare at RVC Small was emaciated and covered in pressure Members of the Neurology and
Animal Referrals. sores but had no other injuries. Gladys was Neurosurgery Service and the Orthopaedic
Gladys was presented to the referring partially paralysed and unable to walk. Service worked together to save Gladys.
veterinary practice, via a welfare charity, Radiographs taken at the referring Due to the presence of the abscess and
after a member of the public witnessed her practice revealed multiple spinal fractures infection, there was a realistic risk that
and another dog being thrown from the and so Gladys was referred to the RVC. A placement of surgical implants would be
moving vehicle in London. They managed CT scan revealed two vertebral fractures. followed by dramatic wound infection and
to catch the dogs and took them to local A smaller thoracic vertebral fracture, which implant failure. The fracture was therefore
authority kennels. New Hope Animal could be managed medically, and a lumbar stabilised with an external skeletal fixator
Rescue was contacted, funded treatment vertebral body fracture with luxation that (ESF) rather than placement of permanent
and has since found homes for both dogs. required surgery. Additionally, there was implants. This is a technically complex and
P. 4 P. 5 P.8 P.9
REMARKABLE RHEA OBJECTIVE GAIT FELINE LYMPHOMA ONE PATHOLOGY
REFERRAL ANALYSIS