Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs chewing toes after joint surgery helped by nerve cutting
By Forterre, F et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2009·Department of Surgery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Non-selective cutaneous sensory neurectomy as an alternative treatment for auto-mutilation lesion following arthrodesis in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs developed serious self-mutilation injuries on their toes after surgery to fix their carpal or tarsal joints. Despite trying conservative treatments like wound cleaning and bandaging, the dogs continued to lick and chew at their injuries for weeks. A surgical procedure was performed to cut the nerves responsible for feeling in the affected area, and within 24 hours, all dogs stopped their self-mutilating behavior. Their wounds healed well, and there were no signs of recurrence for up to three years after the surgery.
People also search for: dog self-mutilation treatment · dog licking toes after surgery · carpal arthrodesis complications
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe an alternative method for the treatment of non-responsive self-mutilation injuries in three dogs after carpal/tarsal arthrodesis. STUDY DESIGN: Case series ANIMALS: Two dogs with carpal injury and one dog with tarsal injury treated by arthrodesis METHODS: All dogs developed self-mutilation injuries due to licking and/or chewing of the toes within 21-52 days of surgery. Clinical signs did not resolve within one week after conservative treatment with wound debridement and protective bandages. Following general anaesthesia, a deep horseshoe-shaped skin incision, including the subdermal tissue, was performed proximal to the self-mutilation injury transecting the sensory cutaneous afferent nerves. The skin incision was closed with simple interrupted sutures. RESULTS: All wounds healed without complication. Self-mutilation resolved completely within 24 hours after surgery in all dogs. No recurrence was observed (5 months to 3 years). CONCLUSION: Non-selective cutaneous sensory neurectomy may lead to resolution of self-mutilation following arthrodesis in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Failure of conservative treatment in self-mutilation injuries often leads to toe or limb amputation as a last resort. The technique described in this case series is a simple procedure that should be considered prior to amputation. The outcome of this procedure in dogs self-multilating due to neurological or behavioral disturbances unrelated to carpal or tarsal arthrodesis is not known.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19448878/