05/22/2026
We are back with a from one of our own here at PVH, Dr. Walters' dog, Marty!
In November, 12 year old Marty was scheduled for what should have been a routine dental procedure. But before anesthesia, Dr. Walters noticed he had been coughing more at home for a few weeks and decided to take chest X-rays first, just to be safe.
Not expecting to find anything, she was shocked when those X-rays revealed a large tumor in Marty’s lung.
Dr. Walters then took Marty to an oncologist for a CT scan, which confirmed a large mass in one lung lobe as well as a second smaller mass along the edge of another lobe. Because lung masses can continue to grow, spread or affect breathing over time, options were discussed but surgery was recommended. Thankfully, Marty was considered a good surgical candidate.
But the “freaky” part came once surgery began…
As surgeons explored the chest cavity, they discovered the mass was much larger and more invasive than imaging originally showed. Instead of removing only the affected lung lobe, the surgical team had to remove Marty’s entire left lung in order to safely remove the mass and give him the best possible outcome.
A surgery of this magnitude is called a pneumonectomy, and while dogs can survive with one lung, it is still considered a major procedure requiring careful monitoring, pain management and recovery.
Thankfully, Marty handled surgery like an absolute champ. The large mass was a pulmonary carcinoma while the smaller mass was a benign inflammatory lesion called a granuloma. Luckily, while cancerous, pulmonary carcinomas do not readily metastasize. Survival times of 6-12 months or longer post-surgery are common.
Today, Marty has made a full recovery, and you would truly never know he is living life with only one lung. He’s back to enjoying life, loving his people and his sleep, and begging for snacks any chance he gets.
Marty’s story is such an important reminder that even subtle signs, like a cough before a routine procedure, can reveal something much more serious. It also highlights why pre-anesthetic exams and diagnostics are so important, even for procedures that may seem routine.
We are so thankful Dr. Walters trusted her instincts and that Marty is still here to share his story with us. He is expected to celebrate his 13th birthday in August!
