Post by Hezz on Aug 8, 2015 9:26:47 GMT
I thought some of you might appreciate this story:
News
Cairns vet saves gander’s life and creates new beak out of wire, tape
The Cairns Post
August 03, 2015 6:30AM
HOME REMEDIES: Angela Caltabiano and her goose Oscar with Vet Dr Paul Matthews of Balaclava Veterinary Surgery who has saved the life of Oscar the male goose by building and successfully attaching a prosthetic beak, after its beak was ripped off in an accident. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS
A CAIRNS vet has performed a remarkable lifesaving surgery to create a new beak out of fly screen, wire and tape for a prized bird.
Oscar, a five-year-old chinese brown gander, was severely traumatised in a mystery accident where his top beak was ripped off, leaving him unable to feed, with the prospect of being euthanased.
Oscar’s owner Angela Caltabiano pleaded with her vet, Dr Paul Matthews of Balaclava Veterinary Surgery, to “do what you can to save him”.
Dr Matthews, who has been in practice in Cairns for almost 30 years, realised the only way Oscar would survive was if a “beak prosthesis” could be fashioned and somehow attached to his remaining beak and skull.
“I have been presented with some challenges in my vet life, but this would have to be up there,” Dr Matthews said.
An outline of the missing beak was drawn and after several attempts with various materials a final model was created using aluminium fly screen methacrylate, wire, dental glue and duct tape.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” Dr Matthews said.
“This was a mammoth effort for myself and staff; the operation took three hours.
“At the end of which Oscar had something resembling a beak wired on to his skull. I was very concerned that after such a lengthy operation Oscar might not pull through, but within an hour of finishing he was able to hold his head up.”
Oscar, who was named grand champion waterfowl at Cairns Show in 2013, has been given his own “recovery suite” at Balaclava Vets, where his owner has been feeding him a gruel of mash and water. Ms Caltabiano said she was now having neighbourhood issues as Oscar’s lady friends had been honking for him in the early hours, “causing quite a commotion”.
“His recovery has been remarkable, with Oscar being able to feed himself after one week, and he has started honking for the girls ... it may be time for him to return to his harem,” Dr Matthews said. Oscar’s beak will grow out slowly over the next 12-18 months, which will require trimming to maintain its functional integrity.
The photo can be seen here ....... it didn't come over with my copying:
www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-vet-saves-ganders-life-and-creates-new-beak-out-of-wire-tape/story-fnjpusyw-1227467036573
News
Cairns vet saves gander’s life and creates new beak out of wire, tape
The Cairns Post
August 03, 2015 6:30AM
HOME REMEDIES: Angela Caltabiano and her goose Oscar with Vet Dr Paul Matthews of Balaclava Veterinary Surgery who has saved the life of Oscar the male goose by building and successfully attaching a prosthetic beak, after its beak was ripped off in an accident. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS
A CAIRNS vet has performed a remarkable lifesaving surgery to create a new beak out of fly screen, wire and tape for a prized bird.
Oscar, a five-year-old chinese brown gander, was severely traumatised in a mystery accident where his top beak was ripped off, leaving him unable to feed, with the prospect of being euthanased.
Oscar’s owner Angela Caltabiano pleaded with her vet, Dr Paul Matthews of Balaclava Veterinary Surgery, to “do what you can to save him”.
Dr Matthews, who has been in practice in Cairns for almost 30 years, realised the only way Oscar would survive was if a “beak prosthesis” could be fashioned and somehow attached to his remaining beak and skull.
“I have been presented with some challenges in my vet life, but this would have to be up there,” Dr Matthews said.
An outline of the missing beak was drawn and after several attempts with various materials a final model was created using aluminium fly screen methacrylate, wire, dental glue and duct tape.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” Dr Matthews said.
“This was a mammoth effort for myself and staff; the operation took three hours.
“At the end of which Oscar had something resembling a beak wired on to his skull. I was very concerned that after such a lengthy operation Oscar might not pull through, but within an hour of finishing he was able to hold his head up.”
Oscar, who was named grand champion waterfowl at Cairns Show in 2013, has been given his own “recovery suite” at Balaclava Vets, where his owner has been feeding him a gruel of mash and water. Ms Caltabiano said she was now having neighbourhood issues as Oscar’s lady friends had been honking for him in the early hours, “causing quite a commotion”.
“His recovery has been remarkable, with Oscar being able to feed himself after one week, and he has started honking for the girls ... it may be time for him to return to his harem,” Dr Matthews said. Oscar’s beak will grow out slowly over the next 12-18 months, which will require trimming to maintain its functional integrity.
The photo can be seen here ....... it didn't come over with my copying:
www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-vet-saves-ganders-life-and-creates-new-beak-out-of-wire-tape/story-fnjpusyw-1227467036573
