Dog crushed by 350 lbs. of metal is back to running after LSU Vet Med treatment

Dumpster, a 2-year-old hound mix, was nearly crushed to death when a 350-pound piece of metal fell onto him while a trailer was being moved on owner Adam Cutrer’s business property in Denham Springs, La., earlier this year.

Workers converged to remove the metal, and Adam rushed Dumpster to Dodge City Veterinary Hospital, where he was seen by Dr. Sarah Bonin (LSU 2020). Dumpster was losing consciousness during the drive. After stabilizing him, Dr. Bonin transferred Dumpster to the care of Sherwood South Animal Hospital, the nearest emergency center. He was discharged a few days later.

“Two nurses were holding his back end up. He couldn’t walk,” Adam said. “I kept him home for the weekend not knowing what to do. Euthanasia was not off the table. On Monday, I brought him back to his regular vet at Dodge City Vet Clinic, and they sent us to LSU Vet Med ER.”

After being transferred to the LSU Neurology service, an MRI was performed and revealed a T10-T11 vertebral luxation causing Dumpster’s clinical signs. After additional advanced imaging and careful surgical planning, Dr. Colleen Embersics, assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery, performed his spinal stabilization surgery.

Dumpster entered Adam’s life when he was found at 8 weeks old with other puppies standing in a tire at an illegal dump site in a rural area.

“I picked him up and took him home,” Adam said of his first pet on his own. “I told him, ‘You’re never going to be hungry again.’”

The two quickly formed a close bond, sharing kayaking trips, boating adventures, and road trips together.

“I found him at a very difficult time in my life,” Adam said. “He gave me a reason to keep going. I owed my buddy whatever I could give him.”

Two weeks after surgery, Dumpster developed an infection at the surgical site and returned to LSU Vet Med with an exceptionally high fever. After obtaining a sample from his incision, he was immediately started on antimicrobial therapy.

“Things weren’t looking good,” Adam said. “I said a prayer and posted on social media that he needed prayers. His temperature started to drop, and he began to improve.”

Throughout Dumpster’s hospitalization, Adam appreciated the frequent updates from the care team.

“They called us twice a day while Dumpster was hospitalized.”

Back home, Adam’s partner, Dawn Amato, became Dumpster’s primary caregiver during his recovery.

“This dog wouldn’t be alive without her getting him outside when needed and giving him his meds on time,” Adam said.

When Dumpster returned to LSU Vet Med last spring for his six-week postoperative recheck with the Neurology service, he was bright, alert, and responsive and practically running down the halls.

“Dumpster has demonstrated an amazing recovery and was cleared to gradually return to normal activity. His story touched the entire team, and he will always be a patient of mine,” said Dr. Embersics.

Given Dumpster’s significant neurological improvement with mobility, structured rehabilitation was not necessary.

“Y’all saved his life,” Adam said. “What a wonderful asset LSU Vet Med is to Louisiana.”

Today, Dumpster is back to enjoying many of the activities he loved before the accident.

“He used to run 26 miles per hour in the sand. He will never be that same dog, but he still runs, jumps, plays, swims in the Gulf, and retrieves Frisbees,” Adam said. “He’s a happy dog. Every day he’s doing better. He’s going to live a good life.”