Lecture 23: Amputation (Exam 3)

Question 1

Define

Caudectomy

Answer 1

Amputation of a portion of the tail

Question 2

Define

Cosmetic Caudectomy

Answer 2

performed to comply with breed standards or traditions (controversial)

Question 3

At what age do you need to start using anesthesia for therapeutic caudectomy?

Answer 3

after one week old

Question 4

What procedure is seen in this photo?

Answer 4

reconstructive surgery for caudectomy (Lateral Caudal Axial Pattern Flap)

Question 5

How much of the tail do you need to amputate for happy tail?

Answer 5

• The whole tail
• leave a handle for thermometer & to hide “one-eyed monster”

Question 6

Which skin flap should be larger(longer) in a tail amputation?

Answer 6

Dorsal flap

Question 7

What does this picture show?

Answer 7

Tail amputation incision

Question 8

What can you do to facilitate the incision in the disc space?

Answer 8

needle in disc space and use that to guide your needle

Question 9

How do you test if a dog would be a good candidate for forequarter amputation?

Answer 9

• see if the dog can stand with a Velpeau sling on
• if not, consider not taking the leg off

Question 10

What are the two types of thoracic limb amputations?

Answer 10

• Forequarter
• midhumeral

Question 11

Which thoracic limb amputation is more cosmetic and is least likely to lead to pressure sores once healed?

Answer 11

forequarter

Question 12

What tool should you use to help incise the muscles during a limb amputation to prevent hemorrhage?

Answer 12

electrocautery

Question 13

What should you do to the brachial plexus before you incise it?

Answer 13

place an anesthetic block to decrease post-surgical pain

Question 14

What needs to go onto the surgical site post-operatively in a forequarter or midhumeral amputation?

Answer 14

Soft padded bandage for 3 days

Question 15

Where are you amputating the limb in a midhumeral amputation?

Answer 15

• the level of the distal 1/3 of the humerus
• cutting through the humerus itself

Question 16

Where are you amputating the limb in a forequarter amputation?

Answer 16

Removing the scapula from the synsarcosis joint

Question 17

What sling do you use on a dog to see if it will stand without a pelvic leg?

Answer 17

Ehmer Sling

Question 18

What are the types of pelvic limb amputation?

Answer 18

• Coxofemoral amputation
• midfemoral amputation

Question 19

What are the main considerations you want to take into account when considering limb amputation?

Answer 19

• owner concerns
• desired function outcome
• will he/she stand?
• relative health of remaining limbs/joints

Question 20

What prevention is needed in a tail amputation?

Answer 20

• e-collar
• bite-not-collar
• bucket (if e-collar doesn’t work)
• adequate pain control

Question 21

What are the major considerations for Tail Amputation?

Answer 21

• major procedure in adult dogs
• don’t amputate just distal tip
• amputate through disc space
• generous skin flaps (dorsal flap longer)
• hemorrhage control- major procedure in adult dogs

Question 22

What can you use to keep feces out of your surgical site?

Answer 22

tampon

Question 23

What should the positioning of the dog be during a tail amputation?

Answer 23

• ventral
• legs handing off table
• padding under hips to prevent damage

Question 24

what should you place before incising your tail?

Answer 24

some sort of restriction band at base of tail to control hemorrhage