I40 CANINE AND TELINli SURGERY. 



Tenotomy. — A contracted condition of one or more tendons 

 in connection with a fore paw is occasionally met with, the paw- 

 being deformed and the animal lame in consequence. This can 

 be remedied by tenotomy, performed at the most convenient 

 and superficial place of whatever tendon is supposed to be 

 contracted. The operation is not a difficult one and gives 

 very satisfactory results. An anaesthetic is used, the parts 

 are shaved, and strict attention paid to antiseptic precautions, 

 the patient being secured on its side or back. An incision is 

 made through the skin at the side of the tendon, and a blunt- 

 pointed tenotome is introduced flatwise whilst the leg is flexed ; 

 the cutting edge is turned towards the tendon, the leg is straight- 

 ened and the tendon cautiously cut through. Care must always 

 be taken not to wound any of the blood vessels and not to cut 

 through the skin at the other side or back of the tendon, on 

 account of the trouble which is likely to ensue from excessive 

 granulations. The wound is then sutured and covered with 

 iodoform collodion' and a bandage. 



The most common situations for tenotomy are just above 

 and behind the carpus and the under surface of the deformed toe. 



Suture of Divided Tendon. — After severe injuries, especially" 

 wounds and cuts on the legs, some of the tendons are frequently 

 found to be severed. Unless the divided ends are re-united 

 the animal is apt to become a permanent cripple. The ends 

 must be carefully sought for and brought into apposition, being 

 first lightly scraped or roughened. They are then united by 

 fine sutures of catgut or silkworm gut, the latter being the 

 most suitable as they remain in position for years without 

 becoming absorbed. The limb must be fixed so that no 

 strain is put upon the tendon for some weeks until firm union 

 has taken place, and antiseptic dressings are applied to the 

 wound. Occasionally, although such cases must be compara- 

 tively rare, a ruptured tendon will be met with when there is 

 no external wound of the skin. An instance of this was met 

 with a short time ago, the patient being a fox terrier dog whose 

 gastrocnemius tendon was found to be completely divided. 



