'Save our family dog': Toowoomba vets fly to foreign country

WHEN Toowoomba vet Dr Tom Smith was asked to board a flight to Papua New Guinea to save the life of a dog crushed by a car, he thought it was a hoax.

WHEN Toowoomba vet Dr Tom Smith was asked to board a flight to Papua New Guinea to save the life of a dog crushed by a car, he thought it was a hoax.

The owners of one-year-old Siberian husky Maui put in an emergency call to Australia's veterinary community last week after the pooch was accidentally run over by a car, leaving him with horrific injuries.

The message reached Dr Smith, a specialist surgeon, who is currently working at Toowoomba Family Vets.

HELPING HAND: Dr Tom Smith and vet nurse Bec Lewis of Toowoomba Family Vets flew to Papua New Guinea for an emergency surgery to help a pet dog that had been run over by a car. Picture: Kevin Farmer

"We received a phone called on Tuesday (last week) looking at the possibility of us going out to help a dog that had some severe pelvic trauma in Papua New Guinea," Dr Smith said.

"It appeared we were the only team that could mobilise and go out there in the time frame that was needed."

After confirming the story for assistance was true, Dr Smith and Toowoomba Family Vets head nurse Bec Lewis, packed their bags and made the more than 2500km journey north to Port Moresby on Thursday.

Papua New Guinea vet Dr Julius (left) with Toowoomba's Dr Tom Smith operating on husky Maui. Picture: Contributed

"I literally got off the plane and went straight to the clinic. It is the only veterinary clinic to the best of my knowledge in Papua New Guinea and we just started the process of preparing the patient and getting the facilities ready for surgery," Dr Smith said.

Dr Smith assisted local vet, known as Dr Julius - a recent graduate from the Philippines, in the six-hour operation to fix the "challenging" fracture.

Both sides of Maui's pelvis were broken and it was detached from his spine. It was repaired using eight screws, one plate and a rod.

Papua New Guinea's Dr Julius, vet nurse Swanny, Toowoomba Family Vets head vet nurse Bec Lewis and Dr Tom Smith. Picture: Contributed

Ms Lewis said Maui was an incredibly lucky dog, with extremely dedicated owners who were nothing but thankful to the Australian team.

"Sometimes in regional Australia the opportunity for vet nurses to do something like that is quite limited. So to be able to team up with Dr Smith on this was an incredible experience and something I have not done in my career before," she said.

"I guess at the end of the day that's what we are all getting into the industry for - to help animals."

X-ray images of Siberian husky Maui, who was run over by a car. Picture: Contributed

Dr Smith said Maui was due to return home in a few days.

"My understanding is he is moving his legs and is preparing to walk at the moment," he said.

"So he has a long road ahead of him, but we expect he will make a good solid recovery."

Originally published as 'Save our family dog': Toowoomba vets fly to foreign country