2. Tail amputation is the surgical removal of tail. It
should be considered for the following
indication-
1.Injury or neoplasm of the tail
2.Tail gangrene
3.paralysis of tail
2
4. Special Equipment
Bone saw and tourniquet
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4
5. 5
Surgical Anatomy:
These muscles are situated around the tail enclosed in the strong coccygeal
fascia. The coccygeal muscles are name as follows:
1.Sacrococcygeus dorsalis medialis muscle(2)
2.Sacrococcygeus dorsalis lateralis muscle(2)
3.Sacrococcygeus ventralis medialis muscle(2)
4.Sacrococcygeus ventralis lateralis muscle(2)
5.Intertransversalis caudae consists of muscular bundles and lie on the lateral
aspect of the tail between Sacrococcygeus lateralis and ventralis.
Blood and nerve supply :The blood supply through the middle and lateral
coccygeal arteries and nerve supply by coccygeal nerve.
6. 1.The animal is controlled in standing position
2.Anaesthesia can be done by local infiltration of local anesthetic
agent(2% lignocaine hydrochloride) or by low epidural anesthesia.
3.In uncontrollable animal sedative may be required.
6
Control and
Anesthesia:
Operation site:
Above the injury at the intervertebral
articulation
7. 7
Surgical Technique:
By flap method:
1.After taking all aseptic precautions,
proper anesthesia should be done
2.A tourniquet(saline pipe) is applied
at the base of the tail
3.The exact point of disarticulation is
determined by palpation
4.Two 'V' shaped flaps incision one on
dorsal and the other on ventral side
are made at the site of operation
8. 8
5.prominent vessels at the lateral and
ventral aspect ar identified and ligated
proximal and distal to the proposed
site of amputation
6.Intervertebral space is located by
blunt dissection and the joint is
disarticulated with the help of knife
7.Skin flaps are united by simple
interrupted sutures
8.The tourniquet should be removed
after one hour of operation.
9. 9
Post-operative Care:
1.A course of antibiotic should be given (penicillin @20000
IU/kg BW IM once daily for 5 days.Trade name-Bipen vet)
2.To relief from pain analgesics should be given(meloxicam
@0.5 mg/kg BW IM once daily for 5 days.Trade name-Melvet).
3.Sutures should be removed 8 to 10 days after surgery or
after complete healing.
