Oregon Dog Gets Rare Brain Surgery, Now Back to Daily Walks

When Woody started stumbling on stairs last summer, his family knew something was wrong with their beloved six-year-old pup.

Doctors at DoveLewis Animal Hospital in Portland, Oregon discovered a bone tumor pressing against Woody's brain. The diagnosis meant he'd need one of the rarest and most complex procedures in veterinary medicine: brain surgery.

The four to six hour operation challenged surgeons in ways that human brain surgery doesn't. Dogs have thicker skull muscles and dramatically different bone structures depending on their breed, making each incision more complicated.

"The major risk we were worried about was the tumor was very close to a few major blood vessels around the skull," neurosurgeon John Du told local media. The team had to carefully navigate around these vessels while removing the growth.

Surgeons also rebuilt part of Woody's skull using titanium mesh. The intricate procedure required steady hands and complete focus, but the team pulled it off without serious complications.

By day three, Woody was back on his feet and heading home. His recovery required careful monitoring and a committed owner, but the effort paid off.

Sunny's Take

Today, Woody is living his best life again. He walks every day, plays with his canine brother, and shows no signs of the stumbling that first worried his family months ago.

While some tumor remains, doctors say it's slow growing. With regular checkups and ongoing care, Woody's family is hopeful he'll enjoy many more years of tail wags and adventures.

DoveLewis has become a leader in these complex procedures. Just last March, they successfully removed a large brain tumor from Tuba, a seven-year-old Boxer facing similar challenges.

These breakthroughs show how veterinary medicine continues advancing, giving families more time with the four-legged friends they love. For Woody and his family, that extra time means everything.