Sable’s Fight for Survival: Emergency Surgery Removes Strangulated Intestine and Saves Her Life

One moment, Sable was her usual playful self. The next, she was yelping in pain and hiding under the bed, an alarming change that left her family deeply concerned. When she refused food and seemed even more uncomfortable, they knew something was seriously wrong. A visit to their primary vet revealed an intestinal obstruction, and Sable was rushed to DoveLewis for emergency surgery.

An Unlucky Twist

During surgery, our team discovered that a strand of omentum (a fold of the abdominal lining) had wrapped around her small intestine, causing strangulation and cutting off its blood supply.

With the blood supply blocked, about 12 inches of her intestine had died, leaving no choice but to remove it. We quickly performed surgery to remove the dead section and reconnect the healthy intestine. While losing this length wouldn’t affect her long-term nutrition, the real danger was the bacteria and toxins leaking into her abdomen, a complication that could lead to septic peritonitis, a serious and potentially fatal infection.

A Critical Recovery

Sable remained in our ICU, where she was closely monitored. Though her vitals were stable, her body had been through severe inflammation and infection, and it was too soon to know if she was truly “out of the woods.” She was receiving intensive supportive care, including IV fluids, antibiotics, and pain management, while we watched for any signs of worsening infection.

Her family visited, hoping for good news. They asked the tough question: Is she going to make it? The answer was honest—it was too soon to tell. If she continued to improve over the next couple of days, we could begin removing her drains and, in the best-case scenario, send her home in a few days.

A Fighter Through and Through

Over the following days, Sable’s condition slowly improved. Though she was still very sick, her spirit remained strong. With round-the-clock care, she stabilized enough to begin eating again, and by the time she was discharged, her tail was wagging once more.

Her family later shared: “Sable was so sick, and I am sure she would have died were it not for DoveLewis... The care was incredible, both medically and emotionally. We’re forever grateful for what DoveLewis did to save our girl.”

When every second mattered, expert care and unwavering dedication gave Sable a second chance at life. At DoveLewis, we’re here 24/7—whether it’s a life-threatening emergency like Sable’s, urgent care for those moments when something just feels off, or specialty care for ongoing conditions. No matter the situation, our team is ready to provide compassionate, expert veterinary care whenever pets and their families need us most.