Ever heard of 3D printing? Items made from using 3D printers are used to help animals with various issues, such as a prosthetic leg or even a face mask. The first dog to receive this 3D face mask is a a 4-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier named Loca. Loca first arrived at the University of California (UC) Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine hospital with severe face injuries after an attack by another dog. Loca had suffered a fractured jawbone and cheekbone due to the attack and needed a face cast to help his bones heal properly.
The veterinary hospital’s Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service (DOSS) had been working with the students had been working on a face mask to assist in healing facial injuries and was named the Exo-K9 Exoskeleton, a 3-D printed mask. When Loca arrived, the students were notified to be ready to print the first-ever Exo-K9 mask should a CT scan confirm that she would be suitable. The vets put Loca under general anesthesia and surgically removed some bone fragments from her injury.
While Loca recovers, the vets used her CT scan to create a Exo-K9 mask that would fit her head nicely to maximize recovery. In addition to the mask, Loca was also given a neck bandage to stabilize her neck fracture and limit her movements. Loca spent 3 days in the hospital recuperating and ate only soft foods due to her injuries.
Loca wore both the mask and the neck bandage for months, except when she was either eating or drinking. She was also not allowed any toys or hard chews. After three more months, another CT scan was performed to assess her recovery. Loca’s injuries were recovering well, thanks to the TLC she received.
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