Weighing less than a kilogram, ’Louie’ the ten-week-old silky maltese terrier isn’t big but he has a fighting spirit.
That’s what surgeons at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Kay Hull Veterinary Teaching Hospital will be counting on when they perform difficult brain surgey to save the puppy’s life from 9.30am on Wednesday 2 May.Adopted into care by the Snowy Mountains Animal Rescue Team (SMART) Louie has a rare condition called hydrocephalus, which is when fluid does not drain properly from the brain.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Jacob Michelsen from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga said treating the condition involves placing a shunt into the pup’s brain to allow the fluid to drain.
“This is type of brain surgery is rarely performed on animals with only a few dozen cases are described,” he said. ”This will be the first time the surgery has been attempted in regional Australia.”
Dr Michelson said a special neo-natal shunt, normally used on human babies, has been imported from the United States because the pup is so small.
The surgery is expected to take up to two hours and will be observed by Bachelor of Veterinary Science/Bachelor of Veterinary Biology students from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU.
“Seeing this type of neurosurgery first-hand is a valuable learning opportunity for students,” Dr Michelsen said. “Students will also be involved in pre and post operative care and monitoring.”
The CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital was opened in 2010, enabling the practice and teaching of procedures in small animal surgery and medicine.
“Undertaking this type of difficult surgery demonstrates the facilities and skilled surgeons available in Wagga Wagga and means that people do not have to take pets to Sydney or Melbourne for specialist treatment.”
Based in Batlow, SMART has been raising money for the care and treatment of Louie.
PS The neurosurgery on Louie went well with the shunt put in place by Dr Michelson and his team at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The pup is now recovering.
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