Woody, a six-year-old dog in Portland, is back to walking a mile a day after a rare, hours-long brain operation at DoveLewis Animal Hospital. Specialists removed a large bone tumor that had been pressing on his brain and left him stumbling and off-balance last summer, a case that shows both the serious risks and the growing capabilities of advanced veterinary neurosurgery in the region.
Rare skull tumor and months of symptoms
Woody's owners first noticed trouble last August, when he started stumbling on stairs and pausing before jumps that used to be routine. The neurology team at DoveLewis eventually found the culprit: a large bone tumor on his skull that was pushing into his brain. Neurosurgeon Dr. John Du said the mass sat near major blood vessels and that removal took "about four to six hours," according to KATU.
High-risk surgery and quick recovery
The hospital performed the high-risk operation on Dec. 8 and rebuilt part of Woody's skull with titanium mesh after removing the mass, per KPTV. Veterinarians monitored Woody around the clock and reported that he was standing and eating within days, then back home just three days after surgery. The team credited careful intraoperative planning and intensive post-op care for the favorable short-term outcome.
DoveLewis' experience with pet neurosurgery
As detailed by DoveLewis, the hospital has handled similarly rare neurosurgical cases and stresses that these procedures demand highly specialized teams, advanced imaging and dedicated equipment. The nonprofit's posts note that successful outcomes depend on coordinated surgical skill paired with robust aftercare plans. Staff members say that institutional experience and tight-knit teamwork played a major role in Woody's recovery.
Takeaways for local pet owners
Veterinarians emphasize that catching subtle neurologic changes early and having a committed owner in the mix are crucial for a good prognosis. KATU reports that Woody is now walking a mile every day, and Dr. Du said post-operative success "takes a whole lot of people to work together," a reminder that complex cases rely on both surgical skill and diligent follow-up. For Portland pet owners, Woody's story offers cautious hope: slow-growing skull tumors can be life-threatening but may be treatable when advanced specialty care and committed aftercare are available locally.
