When Sherman’s carers first brought him to Lort Smith, he was not in a good way. The three-year-old Dalmatian was coughing, struggling to breathe, and running a high temperature.

A CT scan and blood tests soon revealed that one of Sherman’s lungs had collapsed. Dr Crawford, one of our highly skilled veterinarians, said he needed an urgent, life-saving operation.

While the cause of his condition remains unknown, Dr Crawford and his team suspect he may have inhaled a grass seed that had traveled to his lungs, causing severe chest infection and disease.

“He would have died if he didn’t have his lung surgery within days.”

Operating on a dog of Sherman’s size, in the condition he was in, is extremely expensive. His carers simply couldn’t afford the cost of it and, with heavy hearts, they decided to surrender him into Lort Smith’s care.

The complex, four-hour procedure to remove part of Sherman’s lungs was the first of its kind performed by Dr Crawford. Lort Smith was fortunate to have the facilities and resources available to undertake this procedure.

Sherman’s surgery was a complete success. With lots of love, attention and gentle exercise, he has made a full recovery and is well and truly back to his cheeky, playful self.

Like all good stories, Sherman’s has a happy ending. After spending so much time together, Dr Crawford says he fell in love with this gentle and friendly pup and decided to foster him with the view to adoption.

“I took him home for an afternoon because I felt sorry for him and that was that. I suppose I had a soft spot for him because we’d been through so much together already. I can’t imagine life without him now.”

Sherman now accompanies Dr Crawford to work each day and has become a much-loved member of the Lort Smith family.

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