ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam — Two Army Veterinary Corps officers assigned to Veterinary Readiness Activity Anderson Guam performed an emergency splenectomy on a privately owned dog (POA) May 21 after discovering life-threatening fluid in the animal’s abdomen, Army officials said.
CPT Autumn Fotta and CPT Ross Pillischer led the emergency abdominal exploration, assisted by SGT Sophia Keydeniers and CPL Robyn Jane Charfauros, when the dog arrived in unstable condition with signs consistent with internal bleeding.
The procedure revealed a severe condition involving unknown fluid within the abdomen, prompting the team to remove the dog’s spleen in an effort to stabilize the patient, according to veterinary staff.
During the operation, 68T animal care specialists conducted continuous anesthetic monitoring and supportive care, allowing the Veterinary Corps officers to perform surgery under emergency conditions while carefully tracking the dog’s status.
Veterinary officials said the surgery provided a valuable training opportunity, enhancing the team’s readiness to respond to future emergencies involving both military and privately owned animals on and around Andersen Air Force Base.