A toe amputation on a Suffolk Ram

Meet Skippy, a mature aged Suffolk Ram.

He was presented to the clinic with a non-weight bearing lameness on the left hind. On examination the foot was found to be markedly swollen over the lateral claw with pus draining from tracts between the toes and from above the claw. The toe on the lateral digit was also pointing skywards indicating potential rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon.

The severity of the injury was discussed with toe amputation the recommended course of action. Skippy was started on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication while the owners considered amputation.

After 6 days of no improvement on the antibiotics and anti-inflammatory Skippy returned to the clinic to undergo radiographs and subsequent toe amputation.

Skippy was sedated heavily for the procedure. Radiographs showed a severe pathologic fracture of the lateral digit as a result of the infection. The medial digit had no significant radiographic changes which gave us confidence that the remaining digit would be ok to support Skippy’s weight. These x-rays helped to plan where the toe would be amputated.

The limb was clipped and prepped for surgery. A tourniquet was placed above the fetlock and intravenous local anaesthetic infused into the distal limb to provide complete analgesia for the surgery. The lateral digit was then amputated above the fracture site to remove the infected non-functional digit. The surgical wound was then bandaged and allowed to heal via granulation.

Post operatively Skippy was sent home on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, weekly bandage changes and rested in the barn. 3 weeks later he had returned to the mob and is now happily skipping around the paddock on all 4 limbs again.