Cats, dogs and farm animals are a common sight in the waiting room of Helston veterinary practice Head and Head – but two patients this week caused something of a stir when staff were asked to carry out emergency operations on a pair of seals.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, the dedicated seal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gweek, had rushed in two of its rescued seals that were suffering serious health issues.

Kipper had a non-healing wound on his flipper, so an x-ray was carried out to investigate. This unfortunately revealed a nasty fracture, with infection in the bone.

Kippers anaesthetic and bandage

Kipper's anaesthetic and bandage

It was decided to amputate the digit, to save Kipper’s flipper so he could swim again.

Pui Yu Liu, a veterinary surgeon at Head and Head, said: "Seal anaesthetics are complicated because they only breathe once or twice a minute.

"The anaesthetists, Rhiannon and Grace, used anaesthetic circuits to assist the breathing, and Kipper recovered without any complications."

Kipper in recovery

Kipper in recovery

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The second seal, Scampi, had a very rare and unusual genetic complication on the cornea of the left eye.

Called keratoconus, it was causing pain and weakening of the surface of the eye, resulting in it bulging from the socket.

"She had no vision and the eye was removed under anaesthetic. Scampi is well on the road to recovery!" added Pui.

Scampis eye before removal

Scampi's eye before removal

Both seals have now returned to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary where they will recover fully before being released back into the sea later in the season.

Pui encouraged everyone to support the sanctuary and its work, adding: "When we are out of this lockdown and it is safe for you to do so, please visit the sanctuary and their dedicated staff."