On Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, 5-year-old Labrador Espen was brought into the Hope Advanced Veterinary Center emergency room in pretty rough shape. While playing earlier in the day, he had impaled himself on a long piece of rusty rebar. The team worked quickly to assess his condition and concluded surgery was required. Veterinary Surgical Centers Surgeon Dr. Julia Hawthorne and Surgical Resident Dr. John Kiefer stepped in to perform the lengthy and complicated surgery. Assisted by their support staff, they were able to repair the damage, and Espen is currently in stable condition. Dr. Hawthorne remarked how lucky he was; while the rebar did puncture his lung, liver, and diaphragm, it missed any major blood vessels. Today, he is on strong pain medication but is alert and even up and walking.
It will be a long road to recovery for this sweet pup, but the amazing care and teamwork exhibited by Veterinary Surgical Centers and Hope Advanced Veterinary Center helped to save his life.
Thank you to Seneca Hill Animal Hospital, Resort & Spa for sending this case to us and to their team members who even drove Espen to Hope.
Espen's family is asking for donations of any kind to help with his veterinary bills. You can donate to Espen's care here.
Read the WTOP news story interview with VSC Surgeon Dr. Julia Hawthorne: http://wtop.com/virginia/2015/11/va-dog-recovering-impaling-metal-bar/sl...
Watch the ABC7 news interview with VSC Surgeon Dr. Julia Hawthorne:
Watch the wUSA9 news interview with VSC Surgical Resident John Kiefer: