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"Dennis is nothing short of being the most amazing puppy. He is a bundle of energy with a lot of love to give!" - Adopters.
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Surgery

Our Animal Hospital has four surgical wards where our experienced vets perform a wide range of procedures including orthopaedic, as was carried out on Dennis.

Learn more

Dennis found himself at Lort Smith when he fell out of his carer’s arms. X-rays confirmed it was a greenstick fracture – which is more common in young, soft or growing bones.

Vets gave him a splint to wear for three weeks and asked his carers to return weekly for three weeks for a bandage change and assessment. This was to protect Dennis from infection and to ensure his fracture was healing properly.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Dennis did not make it back to Lort Smith until four weeks later.

Poor Dennis’ leg had become very swollen and had developed pressure sores over his leg where the bandage should have received weekly vet attention.

He was kept overnight for treatment and went home with a dedicated plan that his carers could manage.

The next week when Dennis returned to Lort Smith, he was sore again! He had got into mischief while recovering at home and had fractured his shinbone as well.

Knowing they could not provide the right home for such an excitable pup, Dennis’ carers asked Lort Smith to help him with his multiple fractures, and then find him the perfect forever family.

Dennis went straight into surgery to have his second fracture surgically fixed with a plate and screws. After a few days in hospital he went into foster care with one of Lort Smith’s vets where he could be closely monitored in a home environment.

After six weeks, his post operation check-up revealed the initial greenstick fracture had worsened. Dennis had to go back into surgery to shorten his ulna bone so he could walk properly. Another ten weeks recovering and rehabilitating in foster care, helped Dennis’ legs return to working order.

As soon as he was give the all clear by the vet surgeons, Dennis was made available for adoption!

When Sam and Bel met Dennis, they instantly knew that he was the perfect, energetic boy to give them endless memories of fun and companionship.

These days, ‘Dennis the Menace’ can be found playing with furry friends at the park or beach. He is always the one to run into the middle and be social with every single dog.

Poor Dennis may not have had the easiest start to his life – spending the majority of his time recovering from multiple injuries and surgeries. However it is inspiring how he hasn’t let any of it get in his way. Thank you to our incredible donors and bequestors for enabling us to help Dennis.

Lort Smith Animal Hospital operates just as a human hospital does. Our extensive facilities, coupled with our broad range of specialist equipment, enable us to provide the highest level of veterinary care.

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Volunteers
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Pet Therapy
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Success Stories
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Tails of Lort Smith
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Tails of Lort Smith

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  • Lort Smith Animal Hospital
    North Melbourne
  • Emergency Hospital  | Clinic
  • 24 Villiers Street
    North Melbourne VIC 3051
  • 03 9328 3021
  • [email protected]
  • Lort Smith Campbellfield
    Veterinary Clinic
  • Clinic | Adoption Centre | Dog Park
  • 25-35 Berwick Road
    Campbellfield VIC 3061
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  • [email protected]
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    +61 3 9287 6419
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    03 9287 6417
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    +61 3 9287 6424
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    +61 403 047 945
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  • ABN 87 004 238 475

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Lort Smith acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Lort Smith values and celebrates diversity in our community. We are committed to providing animal care services that are inclusive and support equality and accessibility.

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Is this an emergency?

If your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Major injuries
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
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  • Difficulty urinating
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  • Inability to walk
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Or they need immediate help, do not book online, call our emergency number now: 03 9328 3021

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Is this an emergency?

If your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Major injuries
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe vomiting
  • Severe diarrhoea
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Unexpected or severe seizures
  • Inability to walk
  • Swollen abdomen

Or they need immediate help, do not book online, call our emergency number now: 03 9328 3021

Click here if you wish to continue with our quick and easy online booking.

If you have trouble finding an available appointment time, please call 03 9328 3021.

Our Privacy Policy explains how we manage your personal information.