It was pointed out by my friend Dave the surgeon that I neglected to mention suturing the alien’s leg back on. That’s because he–Dave, not the alien–is a famous human surgeon and that’s what he would obviously do for a human in similar conditions. However, he (hopefully) doesn’t have to worry about other humans in the household trying to rip the leg off his patient and consuming the sutures in the process. Thread, string, yarn, Mylar tinsel and packaging, and ribbon all can create serious problems for dogs and cats if the animals swallow them, far worse than rubber bands. I’m not sure about duct tape because I’ve never known an animal who would eat it. (If any of you know of a dog or cat who did, I’d be interested in knowing what the results were.) I did once treat a Great Dane pup who ate five pounds of quick-drying cement. That experience provided concrete proof that it’s a lot easier to get a very large, rambunctious pup to throw up than to clean up after him as he playfully cavorts around the treatment room, barfing as he goes. Not sure what would have happened if the owners hadn’t seen him eat it though…
