Surgery Palooza!

Tuesday and Wednesday were our annual surgery-jam session.

We are so fortunate to have incredibly talented surgery specialists who are not only good friends, but also patient superb teachers. It is an opportunity to learn new tricks and hone skills from the best of the best. It benefits our patients, our staff, and renews our self confidence in the sometimes very intimidating arena of surgery.

Here is a little photo album of most of the pets we saw. I will do my very best to write about each
 of them..(I am so far behind.. ;-(  but I am trying).

The first surgery of the day. Addison, the Afghan hound, who we all think looks like a muppet. An adorable, silky, sweet-faced cartoonish character.

Now, for those of you who think that spays are beneath a surgeons time and effort, there are always great tips to learn and isn't it better to learn them on a surgery we do daily? Never ever underestimate the value of learning/watching an expert perform a "routine" surgery!

Dr. Lanz can make the simplest surgeries, and the most intricate all look easy! That's true genius!

Second surgery of the day, 3 month old kitten with a fractured tibia.

Broken tibia.
The radiograph should be flipped the other way,
(to all of you vets out there, I know it bugs the crap out of me too,
for the rest of you that don't what I'm talking about, forget it).
I'm just elated that there is a leaded glove in there. I usually have to crop out the bare hands...

What  is with these kittens with broken legs??

No more, please!

Kit, the three month old kitten, ready for surgery.

In the real world of specialty surgery (AKA where the 'ideal standard of care' exists, (in a land far, far away paved with gold and inhabited by people with Gucci shoes, Mercedes Benzs, and waiting rooms with organized magazine racks. I have never been there, I just hear that it exists), this surgery would have cost upwards of $1,000. Here at JVC it was done out of our donation account (THANK-YOU to all who help keep us able to help others!).

The initial approach to the fracture.

Yikes!

These bones are half the size of your little finger bone, (if you have a small little finger).

Four hands on one kitten to fix one tiny splintered bone.

Getting the bones lined up is half the battle. Now all we have to do is thread two tiny bending wires through the marrow cavity, (No, this is not always an easy task). The smaller the bone, the smaller the pin, and the more it wants to bend as you try to push it into and through the bone. Never mind trying to keep the top fragment in-line with the bottom fragment as you push a bending pin.

Presto! Fixed!

Awesome!

A cat with chronic anal sac problems. At today's exam the right anal sac is full of what feels like asphalt. It cannot be expressed, and it is bothersome to this kitty. Painful to touch and will only resolve by one of two methods;
1. Surgical removal,
2. Abscess and rupture.

The spoils of the surgery. Both anal sacs removed. No more butt pain for this kitty!

This is Lilly. She came in for a re-check because her skin was not getting better on the anti-histamine and steroid I put her on a few days ago. Her story is coming soon, its a good one!

Pogo came in for his two week re-check. He is walking almost perfectly. Driving his foster mom a little nuts (she's not used to terriers). He is still looking for a home. Please pass this along if you know anyone.

OH!, this is another great story!

This is Dallas, and his huge eyelid tumor. Story to follow shortly. (Boy, I am putting myself under some pressure and scrutiny now). Feel free to remind me, if I don't follow through.

Little Hunter, growing like the corn around here.
Everyday needs to have a puppy visit incorporated to keep us smiling.

My dear friend, mentor, and genius surgeon, Dr. Lanz.

Thanks for all of the amazing work, laughs, and help!
See you next year!

If you have any questions about pet care, veterinary medicine, surgery, or anything pet, you can find me, and Dr. Lanz at Pawbly.com.