Interviewer:  Can you tell us about the most challenging, and rewarding, case you've had recently at Center-Sinai?

Choosing one case is difficult because I feel rewarded by helping every patient. The case that challenged me the most involved a two year old chihuahua that came to the hospital as an emergency. He was attacked by a larger dog and presented with bite wounds to his chest; one of his ribs was broken and sticking out through the largest wound (we could actually see the rib poking out!). This injury created a hole that left his lung exposed to the environment. He needed a thoracotomy (a procedure to close the chest wall) and to have the broken rib removed. This is a very complicated procedure that is usually referred to emergency centers. Unfortunately the owners could not afford the quotes given to them by these centers.

I really wanted to help these owners and their pet.  I had assisted with this procedure before but never done it on my own. I could either perform the surgery or recommend euthanasia. I choose to do all I could for this pet and agreed on a quote with the owners. I then assembled my surgical team. the pet must be ventilated (you have to breathe for them) during the entire procedure.  Ventilating patients under anesthesia is very challenging especially in this case due to multiple lacerations. Thanks to Head Veterinary Assistant Bobbie Kraft and her team all went well with that aspect of the procedure. I was successful with the thoracotomy and removal of the rib. Now it was up to the little dog to pull through. He would not be "out of the woods" until two days post surgery. He was kept in the hospital for five days to have fluid therapy, antibiotics, and pain medication.
 

Our whole staff was rooting for this little guy.  He must have experienced unbelievable pain due to his injury but never cried. He was friendly, affectionate, and loving during his entire stay. We all loved him so much and were so happy when he never developed an infection and had healed enough to go home with his family.