Alfie’s Story – Pet of the Month

Alfie was found by a kind member of the public after it was suspected that he had been involved in a road traffic accident. Concerned for his welfare, they quickly brought him to an emergency veterinary clinic where he was given urgent assessment and stabilisation. Once Alfie's owners were located, arrangements were made for his ongoing treatment and care to be transferred to our team.

When Alfie arrived with us, further examinations and imaging revealed that he had sustained several serious injuries. These included two fractures to his jaw as well as a fractured hip. One of the jaw fractures was particularly complex, running down the middle of the jaw and extending up the side. Because of the nature and position of this fracture, our standard repair techniques would not have provided sufficient stability or ensured the correct alignment of Alfie's teeth while the bone healed.

Our veterinary surgeon, Katie, carried out additional research and consulted with specialists to explore the most suitable treatment options for Alfie's injuries. After careful consideration and discussion with Alfie's owners, a decision was made to repair the fracture using a “button technique”, a specialised method sometimes used for complex jaw fractures.

This technique involves placing small sterile buttons on the outside of the jaw which act as anchors for sutures. The sutures are carefully positioned to hold the fractured sections of bone in the correct alignment while the jaw heals naturally. Although it can look a little unusual, this method can provide excellent stability while still allowing the patient to maintain normal jaw movement and function during recovery.

Alfie's surgery went well, and he recovered smoothly from the procedure. One of the biggest advantages of this technique was that Alfie was able to eat soft food almost immediately after surgery, which is very important for maintaining comfort and supporting the healing process. While the buttons were visible externally and gave Alfie a slightly unusual appearance for a short time, they played a vital role in ensuring his jaw healed correctly.

During his stay with us, Alfie received dedicated care from our entire team. He was monitored closely throughout the day by our veterinary and nursing staff, and our Animal Care Assistants continued his care overnight through our out-of-hours service. This around-the-clock monitoring helped ensure that Alfie remained comfortable, his wounds stayed clean, and his recovery progressed as expected.

Because Alfie had also suffered a fractured hip, he was discharged with strict cage rest to allow this injury time to heal. His owners did an excellent job supporting his recovery at home and ensuring he followed his rest plan.

At his four-week recheck appointment, Katie was delighted to see how well Alfie had progressed. His jaw had healed well and was stable, allowing the buttons to be safely removed. Alfie coped brilliantly throughout his treatment and recovery, and it was wonderful to see him back on the road to normal life.

Alfie's case is a fantastic example of how teamwork, careful planning, and tailored treatment approaches can make a real difference for our patients. From the member of the public who first helped him, to the emergency team, our veterinary staff, and his dedicated owners, Alfie had a whole team supporting him every step of the way.