Popcorn the ‘hard-headed’ Pomeranian makes a remarkable recovery with a 3D-printed skull

A TEAM of veterinarians from the University of Pretoria (UP) - armed with a “3D-printed skull” — saved the life of Popcorn, an eight-year-old Pomeranian from KwaZulu-Natal, after she had been bitten by another dog and sustained a severe head injury.

- MERCURY CORRESPONDENT

When Popcorn, who was injured during a fight in February, was brought into the Faculty of Veterinary Science's Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) in May, her future was uncertain.

She had sustained a severe injury — a comminuted, depressed skull fracture. Comminuted fractures are serious bone breaks, usually caused by high-impact trauma, where the bone shatters into three or more pieces.

Fragments of bone were pressing on and into Popcorn’s brain, leaving her weak, off-balance, and at risk of seizures.

“Our team at the OVAH’ first priority was to stabilise her,’ said Dr Shannon van Rooyen, surgical resident at the OVAH, who was instrumental in the stabilising process and the surgical procedure.