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Vets perform life-saving facial reconstruction
Within just two days, Bella was able to eat wet foods and did not need extra pain relief, so her owners were able to manage her pain at home.

Puppy’s mid-face rebuilt after motorbike accident 

Vets in Derby have performed life-saving facial reconstruction on a puppy that was hit by a motorbike.

Young German shepherd Bella suffered severe head injuries following the collision last October. Vets at Pride Veterinary Centre said the extent of her injuries were not immediately apparent.

Senior surgeon Rosario Vallefuoco said: “Her fur covered a lot of the damage and remarkably she wasn’t showing any neurological deficits nor had any severe injuries elsewhere. She also had no breathing issues, but she was bleeding from her nose which indicated facial trauma.”

After Bella was stabilised a CT scan of her head revealed severely comminuted maxilla-facial fractures, with her nose and part of her skull being completely displaced. In addition, small pieces of bone from her nose and skull were loose.

After two days in intensive care, surgeons began work to stabilise Bella’s jaw and palate using an interdental wire frame and dental resin. Titanium mesh was used to stabilise the fractures and rebuild her mid-face. Finally, the team removed all loose bone fragments to avoid any long-term complications.

Within just two days, Bella was able to eat wet foods and did not need extra pain relief, so her owners were able to manage her pain at home. Two weeks later, her stitches were removed, and after a further four weeks, the dental frame was also removed.

Rosario added: “Bella will have another CT scan later this month to check on her progress, but so far the mesh isn’t causing her any problems and her teeth and jaw close perfectly again. She is doing extremely well and cosmetically, you would never know she had been in such an accident.”

Images © Scarsdale Vets

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RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.