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Unfortunately, it was whilst "Muzzy"
was having one of his headstrong moments that the argument
with the bus occurred. It goes without saying that this
was one altercation that "Muzzy" was never likely
to win!
Fortunately for "Muzzy" after I
had the chance to examine him (the easiest examination I
have ever conducted on "Muzzy") I was able to
reassure his owners that "Muzzy" would live to
fight another day. He didn't escape completely unscathed
as he had a very nasty degloving injury to his tail. The
flesh had been torn off exposing the coccygeal bones of
his tail. A partial tail amputation would be necessary.
This particular surgical procedure doesn't
rank as the most taxing for the surgeon with only the major
bloodvessels on the underside of the tail to negotiate.
The postoperative healing can however be extremely frustrating.
As in most surgical procedures the aim is to create an environment
that allows the patient to heal itself. If the surgical
wound is then wagged around constantly for hours on end
and occasionally whacked against the walls and doors it
becomes obvious that this wound is not going to heal rapidly.
That is unless the tail is cut short enough to limit the
degree of wagging and banging!
Once I had convinced everyone that length
is not important the postoperative phase went very smoothly
excepting the occasional bandage "Muzzy" was kind
enough to remove!
"Muzzy" has now fully recovered from his ordeal
and appears to carry his newly fashioned tail proudly like
a battle trophy won in a hard fought skirmish! Buses beware!
Terry
Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS
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