July 5, 2020
The entire skin, muscle and tissue flap that attaches to a dog’s lower gums had been ripped away from the bone. As soon as we examined her in the hospital we realized that surgery was the only way to save her life, and even if we saved it today, we weren’t sure what might happen to the exposed jaw during the coming days. This angel’s lower lips, and all the skin under the jaw, had to be removed. There was simply nothing to attach it to. The gum tissue wasn’t strong enough to hold sutures. And she had to be able to open her mouth to eat. Even bandaging the area would be impossible. We had never before performed a surgery to remove so much tissue from a dog’s muzzle.
Watch this simply extraordinary recovery. We’ve called this little hero Joy, and you’ll see why.