Page 1 - Clinical Connections - Autumn 2023

CLINICAL CONNECTIONS

RVC Clinical Services Newsletter Autumn 2023

RESILIENT ROCCO’S ROAD TO RECOVERY

three-year-old longhaired male First admission fracture, coxofemoral luxation, and severed
entire Chihuahua was mauled by a Rocco received immediate measures to femoral artery and thigh musculature.
A large dog, leading to severe injuries, stabilise his condition and, shortly after Some viable pelvic limb muscles were
including pelvic fractures, body wall rupture, arrival, underwent general anaesthesia, a spared and used to augment his body
testicular avulsion and acute kidney injury CT scan and a positive contrast retrograde wall rupture. Fortunately, no other severe
(AKI). urethrocystogram to further evaluate the intra-abdominal injury was noted, although
He has bounced back and is enjoying his extensive trauma. there was concern about the viability of the
life, thanks to the specialist teams working This identified multiple right pelvic fractures, vascular supply to his right testicle.
together at RVC Small Animal Referrals. right coxofemoral luxation, right abdominal Rocco’s family had expressed reluctance
Interventions Rocco received included wall rupture with bladder herniation and to pursue castration, so the decision was
critical care in the ICU, a blood transfusion poor contrast enhancement of his right made to monitor his testicular viability.
and extensive emergency surgery overnight, pelvic limb musculature. Due to the traumatic and contaminated
including limb amputation and repair of his He underwent immediate surgery to nature of his trauma, an active suction drain
traumatic body wall rupture. He was an explore the wounds. Rocco required was also placed at the amputation site.
inpatient on two occasions, totalling almost exploratory coeliotomy, body wall repair Rocco had suffered marked blood loss
three weeks, on top of outpatient reviews. and right pelvic limb amputation due to the due to the trauma and received a blood
severity of injury to the limb, acetabular transfusion during the procedure, enabled

P. 5 P. 8 P.9 P.10
EQUINE DEGLOVING NEW LEADERSHIP PROSTHETIC FOOT SNOWFLAKE THE
CASE ROLE - INTERVIEW FOR GOAT RED-EYED REINDEER