A dog with a collapsed windpipe has been saved by a groundbreaking procedure performed by surgeons at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital in Werribee.
Dr Amy Pepper (above, with Louis), medicine specialist-in-training, said that when four-year-old Louis, a yorkshire terrier, arrived at the hospital four weeks ago he was close to falling into respiratory arrest.
“He had severe trouble breathing, a lung infection, he couldn’t eat and was really exhausted,” she said. “A CT scan confirmed Louis had the worst type of trachea collapse.”
With the guidance of X-rays and a surgical camera inside Louis’ trachea, surgeons installed a self-expanding stent to ensure his airway remained open.
“Surgical options for this type of collapse are very invasive, with prolonged recoveries and long-term complications, whereas placing a stent is minimally invasive and requires no surgery,” she said.
“Louis woke up from the procedure a new dog, able to breath properly for the first time in his life.
“He ate immediately and then slept extremely well; these dogs are often chronically sleep-deprived.”
