This article is from the NT News issue of Monday, 19 Apr
TINY STITCH IS ALL HEART
A ONE-WEEK-OLD lizard has become one of the smallest patients to undergo surgery at a Queensland vet clinic.
The spiny-tailed water monitor named Stitch found himself at The Unusual Pet Vets at Jindalee after he was born with an exposed heart, covered by only a thin membrane.
Despite weighing just 4g when he was presented for surgery in March, Stitch held a big place in owner Tim Kelly’s heart.
“I panicked when I first saw his exposed heart because I’d never seen anything like it before,” Mr Kelly said.
“A lot of breeders might have put him to sleep but I think every animal deserves to have a life. He’s a little bit special and he absolutely isn’t going anywhere.”
Vet surgeon Dr Josh Llinas anaesthetised the hatchling before elevating his skin from the edging of the muscles and suturing it.
Stitch was running around as normal the next day and had completely healed by his check-up in early April.
Mr Kelly was pleasantly surprised to fork out just a few hundred dollars for the intricate surgery.
Copyright © 2021 News Pty Limited
Is there nothing in the NT we can't do and report on?