On 13 March 2026, a small dog named Canela became the first animal in Paraguay to receive a jaw prosthesis. The operation, performed at Ferrer Centro Veterinario, lasted approximately two and a half hours. The case had captured the hearts of thousands across Paraguay, with social media following her recovery closely since January.
Canela lost her lower jaw on 1 January 2026, in Areguá, when a teenager detonated a firecracker, known locally as a “cebollón“, inside her mouth during New Year’s Eve celebrations. She survived the initial incident after emergency surgery, but the procedure left her without a mandible. After an investigation, prosecutor Augusto Ledesma charged a 15-year-old suspect with animal cruelty. Under Paraguay’s National Registry of Animal Abusers (RAGAN), individuals convicted of such offences can be permanently blocked from adopting animals in the future.
From attack to the operating table
The animal welfare organisation Olfateando Huellas took charge of Canela’s care after the attack, placing her with a temporary foster family while preparations were made for the reconstructive operation. The organisation kept the public informed throughout, sharing regular updates on social media that drew widespread attention across the country.
Veterinary reports from Ferrer Centro Veterinario documented the full extent of the damage: a shattered fracture of the mandibular symphysis, multiple fractures along the branches of the jaw, a broken upper left canine tooth, and osteomyelitis, a bone infection. As a result, surgeons first performed a mandibulectomy on Canela, surgically removing the damaged jaw.
Canela’s dog jaw surgery: a historic first in Paraguay
The reconstructive surgery gave Canela a new lease of life. Dr. Pedro Ferrer, a lead surgeon, said they inserted a lightweight, compatible titanium plate to replace the jaw. Surgeons used muscle tissue from Canela’s neck to support her tongue and grafted skin to protect the new structure.
Although Canela will not have teeth, experts expect the prosthesis to transform her daily life. “She used to have her tongue hanging out, but now she has a base,” Dr Ferrer explained. “She will be able to feed herself much more easily with soft and pasty foods.” The surgical team also inserted a feeding tube immediately after the operation to protect the jaw as the healing process began. The cicatrisation is expected to take approximately 15 days.
Veterinarians Lourdes Natalie Servín, Mercedes Martínez, Pedro Luis Ferrer, Fabricio Ferrer, Deydra Valenzuela, Mario Borba, and Yanina Sambrini, along with veterinary nurse Raquel Núñez, made up the surgical team. Olfateando Huellas described their work as impeccable.
‘She is tolerating everything very well’
Three days after the operation, Dr Ferrer reported that Canela was recovering favourably. “Everything is going well, she is evolving correctly. The wound and the healing process are progressing as expected,” he said. He also noted that, despite the physical demands of such a major procedure, Canela’s spirit remained strong. “She is a young dog who is in very good spirits. After a big surgery, it is stressful for any living being, but she is tolerating everything very well.”
Olfateando Huellas also highlighted the role of Canela’s foster family in her recovery. “She is lucky to have a family that is giving her all the love and affection she needs,” Dr Ferrer added.
The organisation celebrated the outcome as a turning point for animal welfare in the country. “Today a new opportunity is born for all the animals of Paraguay,” they wrote in a widely shared post. Beyond Canela’s own story, Olfateando Huellas has also begun pushing for what they are calling the Ley Canela, a proposed law aimed at reducing the use of fireworks during public celebrations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The initiative echoes a broader shift already underway in Paraguay: the country recently mandated animal welfare as a compulsory subject in schools, embedding empathy and responsibility for animals into the national curriculum from an early age.
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