The Rottweiler received the innovative, ground-breaking prosthetic surgery at the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital. After recovery and attachment of an artificial foot, Covid’s owners say he is walking and running with their other dogs at home and does not appear to be in any pain.
Covid arrived at Onderstepoort with a severe and debilitating injury to his right paw. Despite initial hopes of saving the limb, evidence of compromised blood supply indicated amputation would be necessary. Veterinary surgeon Klaas-Jan van de Wetering, in discussion with Covid’s owners, knew this would not be the optimal solution because of challenges faced by large breeds with only one front limb. So they looked for a solution that would ensure Covid maintained his quality of life.
After intense discussion and research, a decision in favor of partial amputation was then made. This, in turn, would make Covid an ideal candidate for ITAP surgery.
While the wound healed, a CT scan was conducted to aid in planning the implant. Orthopaedics company Orthodesign assisted with the images, which were then used to create a custom-fitted implant.
A 3D implant was printed in plastic for evaluation on a printed model of the limb. After minor adjustments, the final implant was 3D-printed in titanium.
Once Covid’s wound healed, the implant was inserted in a subsequent operation eight weeks after the initial surgery.
“Post-operative infection was a concern, but fortunately it did not occur,” said van de Wetering. “Continuous monitoring for infection is ongoing, and periodic replacements of the prosthetic foot are performed as needed. We have replaced Covid’s prosthesis twice in four months, but we are busy designing a more robust one that would hopefully last longer.”
He is positive about what the future holds: “The fact that the surgery was a success makes it a possible surgical treatment for other patients that need amputations but would not cope with an amputation. For instance, a double amputee and large breed dogs that struggle with only three legs.”
Editor’s note: This story was adapted from materials provided by the University of Pretoria.
