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Dog With Gunshot-Damaged Jaw Arrives At UC Davis From Kentucky
Surgery is delayed due to infection, however, for the 9-month-old collie shot multiple times in the face.
A 9-month-old collie, its lower jaw mostly destroyed by a gunshot, arrived recently at UC Davis’ William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, delivered by a Kentucky-based animal welfare organization.
After an initial examination, the tan-and-white Lad appeared to be in good health, and vets hoped they could help improve his quality of life by partially reconstructing his lower jaw, which has only three teeth on one side and two teeth on the other.
On Wednesday, however, vets reported an infection in the jawbone of Lad, and for surgery to be successful, this infection will need to be cleared.
An infectious disease specialist at the VMTH recommended that Lad be placed on a specifically targeted antibiotic for at least the next four weeks, at which time additional culture tests will be performed to determine the state of the infection. Lad may have to remain on antibiotics for six to eight weeks, delaying the surgery even further.
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“Since the reconstructive procedure we have planned for Lad entails a complicated surgery, we have to eliminate the bone infection to optimize the chance of success,” said Frank Verstraete, chief of the VMTH’s Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service.
Rebecca Eaves, president and founder of The Arrow Fund, which provides medical treatment for animals that are victims of torture, abuse or neglect, accompanied Lad on his flight from Kentucky. Transport for Lad and Eaves was made possible by Pilots N Paws, which provides emergency rescue and transport flights for animals in need.Criminal charges are expected for the Kentucky individual who shot the collie in the face, according to The Arrow Fund.
Eaves expressed her appreciation for the excellent emergency veterinary medical treatment and follow-up care by Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Louisville, Ky., and for the transport group's donated services.
The Arrow Fund learned about Lad and immediately took him into its care on Feb. 10, approximately six days after the shooting. His wound was badly infected, and Lad, weighing only 41 pounds, appeared to be near death, Eaves said.
The details of Lad’s story are available on The Arrow Fund’s website.
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