An American cocker spaniel suffering severe coughing bouts has been given a new lease of life thanks to experts at our Burton-upon-Trent animal hospital who removed her entire left lung lobes in a high-risk operation.
Three-and-a-half-year-old Tilly from Stourbridge, whose owners knew that surgery was necessary as her condition was rapidly deteriorating, was operated on at Linnaeus-owned West Midlands Referrals (WMR) after being referred by her local vets.
The major surgical procedure was such a success that, even minus one lung, her owner Julie Barber says Tilly, who is a rescue dog from Bulgaria, is back to her old self and enjoying lead walks. Detailed examinations at WMR had found a mass caused by a rare inflammatory pulmonary disease obstructing the entire left side of her chest, which was subsequently putting a major strain on her right lung.
Following surgery, Tilly spent two days at WMR before being allowed home to her grateful owners.Julie said: “After an initial x-ray at our local vets, it was decided Tilly needed a soft tissue consultation for a more detailed examination. “It was clear to see her lungs were struggling and her coughing was worsening, so we knew surgery was her only option.
“Of course, we were extremely worried but, looking at her now, it was worth it. It is hard to believe what an amazing recovery she has made and is back to being her old self.
“We still enjoy walks with Tilly on a lead but, for obvious reasons, we don’t walk as far as we used to.”
Chris Lancelott, veterinary surgeon at WMR who led the complex lung removal operation, said: “Tilly had an abnormal growth. Its involvement with the primary air tube meant that removal of all of the left lung lobes which were extremely close to the windpipe, was required and was not without risk. “Following surgery, Tilly has been back to West Midlands Referral for a check-up and she looks excellent, with her owners saying she been behaving brilliantly at home. “It’s great to hear she’s enjoying lead walks, which her owners are carefully building up over time.”
WMR provides a wide range of high-standard veterinary services delivered by experienced clinicians and supported by state-of-the-art facilities to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment.
