Find an animal

    Rufus: his story and care

    ← Back to the Animal Atlas

    Rufus

    Care after surgery

    Rufus has undergone surgery on his left front limb. The photographs from this stage show him wearing a bandage and a protective cone. This page brings together his story and records of his care.

    Rufus

    Rufus’s story

    Rufus came into our care with skin wounds and a serious elbow injury. He carries hundreds of shotgun pellets throughout his body, including several in his head. X-rays documented the visible projectiles and helped assess the injured limb.

    What you can’t see inside Rufus

    An infographic explaining his injuries and surgical repair. You can view the original X-rays below.

    Infographic of Rufus with an approximate depiction of the pellets and elbow repair.

    His progress

    After surgery

    The X-rays show a plate and screws above and below his left elbow. The photographs document a later stage with a bandage, protective cone and veterinary care.

    The X-rays

    Images of his head, chest, abdomen and pelvis document some of the projectiles remaining in his body.

    The visible wounds

    The photographs show skin wounds and areas of clipped fur. We retain these images as part of the record of his progress.

    Original X-rays

    Open each image to see it in full. These X-rays come from different examinations and do not all represent the same stage of his care.

    Left elbow after surgery: frontal view

    Left elbow after surgery: frontal view

    Date to be checked against the veterinary report.

    Left elbow after surgery: lateral view

    Left elbow after surgery: lateral view

    Date to be checked against the veterinary report.

    Head

    Head

    Date to be checked against the veterinary report.

    Chest and abdomen

    Chest and abdomen

    Date to be checked against the veterinary report.

    Pelvis and hind limbs

    Pelvis and hind limbs

    29 August 2026, date visible on the image.

    Front limb and neck region

    Front limb and neck region

    Date to be checked against the veterinary report.

    Veterinary reports

    Reports and further reviews will be added as they become available for publication.

    Photographs of his care

    Rufus receiving veterinary care.

    His story on video

    Watch Rufus’s update

    Watch Rufus’s video

    Support Rufus

    Your support makes tests, surgery and care possible for animals like Rufus.

    Help our animals