No other animal species on the planet has the variation in shape, size and appearance as the domestic dog.

This is one of the great attractions of dog ownership in selecting the type of dog to suit a particular owner's needs.

This amazing variety can however stretch any veterinary practice's resources when stocking all that is required to treat all canine creatures great and small!

Within days I was first called upon to repair "Gypsy's" broken leg.

"Gypsy" Shipley is a 4 and a 1/2 month old Yorkshire Terrier weighing in at around 3 pounds and only a few inches high at the shoulder. Whilst playing she had twisted her front leg badly and snapped the bone in her elbow.

Without early and accurate realignment the elbow will become badly arthritic and "Gypsy" would be permanently disabled.

There is only one chance in placing a stainless steel screw correctly. Given the very small size of the bones any deviation with the orthopaedic drill can be disastrous. Small bone fragment holders, fine drill bits and the correctly sized screw are imperative. Fortunately, all went well and "Gypsy" is running around if nothing had happened.

Soon after I was given the task of anaesthetising and operating on "Murphy".

"Murphy" Ford is a 4 year old Irish Wolfhound, weighing in at 135 pounds (45 x greater than "Gypsy") and a giant in comparison of size!

"Murphy" had been experiencing hormonal problems and required to be spayed (ovariohysterectomy). Once her pre-anaesthetic blood tests proved normal our difficulty was fitting her onto our operating table and then using our largest arterial forceps to clamp her very large blood vessels in order to safely remove her womb and ovaries.

Our continued investment in surgical equipment has meant that we have been able to cope with whatever size comes our way..........so far!

Terry Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS

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