Popcorn has a spring in her step again, and it’s all thanks to a team of incredible vets and modern tech!
Pretoria, South Africa (23 September 2025) – Little Popcorn Bester, an 8-year-old Pomeranian, hasn’t had an easy run. Earlier this year, her owners turned to the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) when she had sustained severe injuries after she had been bitten by another dog.
Popcorn needed the best care she could get.
Her skull was fractured, and the extent of the damage had caused impact trauma. Known as a comminuted depressed skull fracture, the bone had shattered into more than three pieces, and fragments of it were pressing against her brain.
This left little Popcorn weak, off-balance, and at risk of seizures. Usually, these kinds of injuries can also cause severe pain, swelling, and lameness. Her future was uncertain, but as fate would have it, she landed in the best hands.
In stepped her hero, Dr Shannon van Rooyen. A surgical resident at the OVAH, Dr van Rooyen, would become instrumental in giving Popcorn another chance at survival.
“Our team at the OVAH’s first priority was to stabilise her,” says Dr van Rooyen. “Once she was strong enough, advanced imaging was performed to create a 3D model of her skull. From this, a custom-made titanium plate was designed and printed to fit her perfectly.”
This is one of those stories where modern technology and brilliant minds come together to make good things happen. A perfect model of Popcorn’s skull was 3D printed, allowing the team at OVAH to construct a titanium plate that would fit Popcorn’s noggin like a glove.
In May, Dr van Rooyen performed the delicate surgery with help from Dr Adriaan Kitshoff, head of the Small Animal Surgery Section at UP’s Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies.
“During surgery, the damaged bone was carefully removed to relieve pressure on her brain, and the titanium plate was placed to reconstruct her skull and protect her from future trauma,” Dr Kitshoff says.
Popcorn spent a fair amount of time in the ICU as she recovered. She received all the love and care she needed from the clinicians and veterinary students of the OVAH, day and night.
Eventually, she made a full recovery! When she was strong enough to be discharged, Dr van Rooyen even threw her a ceremony, complete with a certificate addressed to little Popcorn Bester, acknowledging the little four-legged warrior’s champion strength.
“Popcorn’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and hope. It shows the power of modern veterinary medicine, the dedication of a committed team, and above all, the unbreakable bond between people and their pets,” Dr van Rooyen says.
Now, over four months later, Popcorn’s owner says that she’s back to her old self again – eating, playing, and enjoying life!
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