Post 24 Veterinary Exploring Group: Surgery Observations (by Ethan)

As a part of Post 24, I recently participated in a day of shadowing and surgery observations at Weare Animal Hospital.  This included a full-body X-ray on a hamster that had been attacked by a dachshund (due to severe paralysis and a number of fractures and breaks, he had to be put down), the removal of a large oral mass on a Great Dane, a cat neuter, and an emergency appointment for a dog suffering from asthma attacks (this was solved by prescribing an inhaler).  By far the most interesting operation that I observed was a forelimb amputation on a Lab.  This surgery was the dog's only option due to severe bone cancer and took over two and a half hours to complete.  Fortunately, many of the patients treated (including the Lab) recovered well, and thanks to the operations, were able to live relatively normal (and much more comfortable) lives.

A picture of the surgery room during the amputation.