Pictured: Finn in recovery.

Finn was treated by specialists at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists.
 
Veterinary professionals at Anderson Moores animal hospital have helped a springer spaniel who suffered severe and rare internal injuries after falling off a cliff.

One-year-old Finn was admitted to Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester after falling off a cliff top on a visit to the coast with his owner. 

“When Finn arrived, he was lame on his right pelvic limb, had a wound affecting his stifle joint and had also fractured his patella in the fall,” said specialist Davina Anderson, who took charge of Finn's case, alongside resident Kate Holroyd. 

She continued: “We performed a CT scan to examine for internal injuries and it showed marked damage of the liver tissue due to trauma and suspected hepatic ducts avulsions, which are very rare. 

“There were fissure lines throughout the liver where the fall had ‘fractured’ the liver, which is also very unusual. 
 
“There was also abdominal distention secondary to a suspected bile duct rupture which was leaking bile fluid into the abdomen. 

“Finn underwent two surgeries to find the source of the leak. In the first surgery, we found a significant leak from a torn hepatic duct – one of the tubes that carries bile from the liver – from a branch from the left medial lobe. The leak was closed with clips and sutures.” 

Following the first surgery, Finn began to recover, and was discharged a week later. However, his owner noticed that he was developing another abdominal effusion, and took Finn back to the vets, two days after he had been discharged. 

Davina commented on Finn's return: “Surgery was necessary for a second time, on this occasion removing the left medial and lateral liver lobes to stem the leaks. Finn recovered rapidly and this time he headed home within three days and is now doing very well.” 

Finn's owner Georgia Millan added: “We were so worried as we knew how life-threatening Finn’s condition was, so it was an incredibly concerning time for us, especially when we realised that he needed a second surgery. 

“The team at Anderson Moores were brilliant though and really good at explaining how Finn was doing and keeping me updated. 

“Thankfully, he has made a fantastic recovery and we’re all just so grateful it wasn’t worse. We are incredibly lucky.” 

Image (C) Anderson Moores