When Loca arrived with a cracked skull, they created this especially for her.

A 4-month-old puppy miraculously survived thanks in part to a special 3D printed mask after the dog’s severe facial and oil injuries.

Loca recently visited the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in California with a broken jaw, contusion of her cheekbone and severe damage to her temporomandibular joint (TMJ), Loca also had multiple puncture wounds. on the face and neck.

Loca will need a complex, challenging surgery to reconstruct its face. But the veterinary surgeons got the job done, and were also aided by an innovative new tool to help her get better.

UC Davis biomedical engineering students and veterinary surgeons have created a 3D printed mask designed to cast a cast on a dog’s cracked skull.

After the surgery Loca was fitted for a special mask – the Exo-K9 Skeleton – which was printed exclusively for Loca by biomedical engineering students at the school.

The research team was already working on a prototype, so when Loca arrived at the hospital, she was the perfect first candidate.

Using 3D printer technology, the mask was custom fitted to her (via CT scan) and helped keep Loca’s jawbone in place until she healed.

“Loca did well during her three-day hospital stay,” UC Davis School wrote. “She is almost starting to eat soft foods and is still comfortable with pain medication.

In addition to the Exo-K9, Loca was given a padded neckband to stabilize her broken neck and limit her mobility during the healing process. “

The vets said: “For the next month, Loca was not allowed access to any toys, bones or anything else that was difficult to chew. “Her mask and necklace were still worn at all times, except to allow her to eat and drink. She was given a soft diet until her wound healed.”

Watch Loca’s remarkable time at the hospital and her visit back to her saviors in the video below.