When 8-year-old Pomeranian Popcorn Bester was viciously attacked by another dog, the damage was catastrophic: her skull shattered into more than three pieces with bone fragments pressing dangerously against her brain, leaving her weak, off-balance, and at risk of seizures. Dr. Shannon van Rooyen at the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital knew traditional surgery wouldn’t be enough for this complex case, so she turned to cutting-edge technology to save the tiny dog’s life. Using advanced imaging, the surgical team created a perfect 3D model of Popcorn’s skull and designed a custom titanium plate that would fit her exactly like a protective helmet for her brain.
In May, Dr. van Rooyen and Dr. Adriaan Kitshoff performed the delicate surgery, carefully removing the damaged bone fragments to relieve pressure on Popcorn’s brain before placing the titanium plate to reconstruct her skull and shield it from future trauma. The little Pomeranian spent considerable time in the ICU receiving round-the-clock care from clinicians and veterinary students, slowly regaining her strength day by day. When she was finally strong enough to be discharged, Dr. van Rooyen threw her a graduation ceremony complete with a certificate honoring “little four-legged warrior’s champion strength.” Over four months later, Popcorn is completely back to her old self, eating, playing, and enjoying life with a titanium-reinforced skull that proves modern veterinary medicine can work miracles.
