Two British vets have been able to use additive manufacturing to create orthopaedic implants for small dogs.
Dr Kevin Parsons, an orthopaedic vet at Langford Vets’ small animal hospital in Bristol, and former colleague Tom Shaw, a neurosurgeon now at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull, have used custom 3D-printed anatomical guides, surgical guides and titanium implants with animals.
Since 2016, the guides have been used in daily practice with animals referred to them suffering from angular limb deformity or spinal malformation. In doing so, they have not only been able to improve surgical accuracy and the predictability of outcomes, but also reduce theatre time.
Certain breeds of small dog are genetically prone to developing potentially life changing conditions. In dachshunds and Shih Tzu’s, abnormal bone growth can sometimes cause their front paws to point outwards. And in pugs, and other breeds with corkscrew tails, are susceptible to spinal problems caused by mis-shapen bones. If diagnosed in time these conditions can be treated with surgery.
However, their size and weight can often present a challenge to veterinarian surgeons. With such small animals, corrective surgery to drill and cut bones, stabilise vertebrae or reposition limbs is a slow, lengthy and intricate process.
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