A 3D printed mask of a cracked dog skull was made by biomedical engineering students and veterinary surgeons at the University of California, Davis.
A unique 3D-printed mask was recently presented to a four-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The lower jaw joint, jawbones and cheekbones of the young dog were dislocated. She also had numerous injuries to her neck and face. The poor puppy had to undergo a difficult operation.
After the surgery, Luca puts on the Exo-K9 Exoskeleton Face Mask that the biomedical engineering students created especially for her. Thanks to the mask, her jaw stayed in place.
Throughout her three days in the hospital, Loca did incredibly well, according to a post on the UC Davis School's Facebook page. She quickly began eating light meals and was content to take her painkillers. To help stabilize her broken neck and reduce her range of motion while recovering, Loca was also fitted with a padded neck bandage in addition to Exo-K9.
While being required to put on a mask, Luca is forbidden to engage in any of her usual activities. She was not able to chew anything like toys or bones. Eating and drinking was a particular challenge for her. Before her wounds could fully heal, she was grafted from her cervix.
We wish Loca all the best and expect that she will be able to return to her regular life soon!
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