On their second day in Hyderabad, India, Dr. Cliff was tasked to work on an unusual case. Rhesus monkeys are common urban creatures in this part of the world, and one had been hit by a car. He had received critical injuries to his face, was terrified and in pain. Capturing an undomesticated animal in this state was a dangerous and incredible task, in and of itself. It was a testament to the skill of the volunteers at PFA Hyderabad.
When Dr. Cliff met the monkey, it was not eating and looked dehydrated. He could not tell how serious the injuries were but instinctively knew the monkey had to become the priority of the day. He required a closer look but this was impossible without anesthetizing the creature. Even in this state, it was biting and attacking the helpers. The PFA crew diligently kept everyone safe.
Repairing a Broken Monkey Jaw
Once they found proper medication to knock out the monkey, Dr. Cliff examined the full extent of the injuries. The monkey’s jaw had split open, he had a laceration at the top of his head and he had lost the skin on his knuckles and pad. However, he had no broken bones or other internal injuries, and the eyeballs were intact. So they cleaned him up, hooked him to an IV line and went to work on the injuries.
First, Dr. Cliff took on the open gash on the head forehead. To ensure the monkey would not pick at the stitches, he carefully applied the sutures underneath the skin. Then came the broken jaw which also involved repairing a tear in the palate. Dr. Cliff skillfully placed a high-gauge wire up in the mouth, around the fangs and down below the chin to hold the broken jaw together and to help the tissue contract and heal.
The monkey became an in-patient after surgery, requiring pain killers and a diet of soft food. Dr. Cliff was quite satisfied with the results of the surgery and checked up on him daily. Follow his progress on India Episode #6.
About People For Animals, Hyderabad
PFA Hyderabad advocates for domestic animals, wildlife, lab animals as well as pets. They also investigate animal abuse in the entertainment and factory farming industries. Their success is very dependent on private donations through membership programs. For more information or to donate, visit PFA Hyderabad.
To see more rescue missions like this by Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet, subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
About Dr. Cliff
Dr. Cliff Redford, DVM, is an experienced veterinarian and owner/operator of the Wellington Veterinary Hospital in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Fondly known as Dr. Cliff to his clients, he has tended to the wellness of pets and animals for over two decades. Hands-on experience in his clinic, combined with animal advocacy and rescue missions locally and across the globe, has allowed him to curate a vast body of knowledge on animal health and welfare, including preventative counselling, soft tissue surgery, advanced dental procedures, internal medicine and emergency care.