** Originally posted in June of 2009 **


I recently had a glider who had to have a leg amputated. I was fortunate enough to get to watch and photograph the entire thing. I think it is good for use to see what might happen when we are not back in the surgery room. So, here ya go (I left the grossest pictures out).

Diesel arrived at my home with his leg in this condition:


Two days later, we were at the vet for a surgery. That morning, I woke to find that he also had a facial abscess (vet records show this is the 3rd for him). So, we had to address that as well.

Surgery starts with anesthesia to get him to sleep:


Facial abscess was then drained:


Next, a very thorough examination of the foot/leg and tail injuries. Tail was broken and punctured, but not necrotic and already granulated, so I opted to leave it and treat (This poor baby was BEAT UP!). Here are leg and tail:


Continued in next post.....

A monitor was placed on his little hand (to monitor blood gas and heartbeat)and the anesthesia mask was secured.



Next, Diesel's leg was shaved, injected with a local anesthetic and stabalized for surgery.


Then, the sterile field was created and surgery began. Leg was clamped and ready to go:


Doc cut through skin and muscle, then pulled it back to expose the bone. Bone was cut and skin and muscle were pulled back over the bone to create a pad for walking on.


Interior stitches were put in place, then local anesthesia was dropped in to the leg before skin was sewn together (to keep leg numb for many hours after surgery):


Then leg was sewn shut and Diesel was moved to the recovery area where his momma waited with him to wake up.


Diesel is doing great. It has been 9 days since his surgery and he is healing so well. Facial abscess has healed up also. Tail has a small scab, but nothing else. Diesel is such a sweet, sweet glider. I'm in L-O-V-E