When six-year-old Woody started stumbling on walks and acting “just not himself,” his family feared they were watching their happy dog fade away. Instead, thanks to a rare, life-saving brain surgery performed at DoveLewis Animal Hospital in Portland, Oregon, Woody is back to taking his daily walks and enjoying life again—proof of how far veterinary medicine has come, and how much we can do to help our animal companions.


In this article, we’ll walk through Woody’s story, what this kind of canine brain surgery involves, what it means for other pets, and how you can advocate for your own dog if you ever face a serious neurological diagnosis.


Woody, a six-year-old dog, relaxing after recovering from brain surgery
Woody the dog, recovering well after rare, life-saving brain surgery in Portland, Oregon. (Image credit: Gizmodo)

From Subtle Signs to Serious Concern: Woody’s Early Symptoms

According to reporting from Gizmodo, Woody was an otherwise healthy six-year-old dog when his family started noticing subtle changes:

  • He became unsteady on his feet, especially on walks.
  • His personality seemed “off”—less playful, more withdrawn.
  • He had occasional trouble coordinating movements.

These changes can be easy to dismiss as “getting older,” but they’re also classic early signs of neurological trouble. In Woody’s case, advanced imaging revealed a serious brain problem that, without intervention, could have been fatal.


Inside the Diagnosis: Why Woody Needed Rare Brain Surgery

While specific medical details from the hospital are limited in the public reporting, Woody’s case fits a pattern veterinarians increasingly recognize: a structural problem in the brain—often a tumor, cyst, or vascular abnormality—compressing critical areas that control movement and behavior.


At DoveLewis Animal Hospital in Portland, a team of veterinary specialists used advanced imaging (typically MRI or CT) to pinpoint the lesion and determine whether surgery was feasible and safe. Only a small percentage of dogs with brain disease are good surgical candidates, mostly because of:

  1. The location of the lesion (some areas are too risky to access).
  2. The type of growth (for example, some tumors respond better to medication or radiation).
  3. The dog’s overall health and ability to handle anesthesia and recovery.

“Brain surgery in dogs is still relatively rare, but when we carefully select the right patients, we can dramatically improve both quality and length of life,”
— Board-certified veterinary neurologists, as summarized in recent veterinary neurosurgery reviews

In Woody’s case, surgeons were able to access the affected area, relieve the pressure, and stabilize his brain function—giving him what his veterinary team described as a new lease on life.

Veterinary surgeons performing advanced surgery on a dog in a sterile operating room
Advanced veterinary neurosurgery requires specialized training, imaging, and a full surgical team. (Representative image via Pexels)

How Canine Brain Surgery Works: A Step-by-Step Look

While each case is unique, Woody’s operation likely followed a structured, evidence-based process similar to human neurosurgery:

  1. Comprehensive neurological exam
    Veterinarians assess reflexes, gait, vision, and behavior to localize where in the nervous system the problem is likely coming from.
  2. Advanced imaging (MRI/CT)
    Imaging identifies the size, type, and position of the lesion. This step is critical to decide if surgery is even possible.
  3. Anesthesia and monitoring
    A board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist—or an experienced anesthesia team—monitors heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and brain perfusion throughout the procedure.
  4. Craniotomy or surgical approach
    Surgeons make a precise opening in the skull or access the brain from a strategic angle, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
  5. Removal or debulking of the lesion
    Depending on the type of lesion, surgeons may remove it fully, debulk it (remove part to relieve pressure), or address abnormal blood vessels or cysts.
  6. Careful closure and recovery
    The skull and soft tissues are closed, and the dog is moved to intensive monitoring where pain, swelling, and seizures are carefully managed.

Recent veterinary literature suggests that, for certain accessible brain tumors, successful surgery can significantly improve survival times and quality of life compared to medical management alone. Outcomes vary widely, but Woody’s return to daily walks is consistent with the more hopeful end of that spectrum.


From Operating Room to Walking Trails: Woody’s Recovery

The most heartwarming part of Woody’s story is where he is now. According to the Gizmodo report, he has recovered well enough to resume his daily walks—something his family feared might never happen again.


Typical recovery after canine brain surgery often includes:

  • Hospital stay of several days for pain control and monitoring of brain swelling or seizures.
  • Activity restriction at home—short, calm walks and no rough play while the brain and skull heal.
  • Medications such as anti-seizure drugs, steroids to reduce inflammation, and pain relief.
  • Recheck visits and follow-up imaging to track healing and watch for recurrence, if a tumor was involved.

Many dogs, like Woody, gradually regain their balance, coordination, and personality over weeks to months. Some are left with mild quirks—like a slight head tilt or occasional clumsiness—but can still enjoy a very good quality of life.

Dog walking calmly with owner on a forest path, symbolizing recovery and return to daily routines
Getting back to gentle walks is often one of the first signs that recovery from major veterinary surgery is on track. (Representative image via Pexels)

What Woody’s Story Means for Other Dogs and Their Families

Stories like Woody’s are inspiring, but they can also be overwhelming if your own dog is facing a scary diagnosis. It’s important to remember:

  • Not every dog needs—or is a candidate for—brain surgery. Sometimes medication, palliative care, or radiation therapy are safer and more appropriate.
  • Quality of life is the central goal. Most veterinary neurologists prioritize comfort and happiness over simply extending life at all costs.
  • Cost and access are real barriers. Advanced neurosurgery is available only at specialty centers and can be expensive. This isn’t a failure on your part if it isn’t an option.

I once worked with a family whose senior dog had a suspected brain tumor but wasn’t a good candidate for surgery because of heart disease and age. Instead, they chose medical management with anti-seizure medication and steroids. They didn’t get years, but they did get several comfortable, joyful months filled with familiar walks and favorite games. That, for them, was the right decision—and it was every bit as loving as saying yes to surgery would have been.


If You’re Worried About Your Dog’s Neurological Health: Practical Next Steps

If you’re noticing changes similar to what Woody’s family saw, here’s a practical, step-by-step way to move forward:

  1. Document what you’re seeing
    Keep a simple log or short videos of:
    • Wobbliness or stumbling
    • Changes in personality
    • Head tilt, circling, or bumping into objects
    • Seizures or “zoning out” episodes
  2. Schedule a prompt vet appointment
    Share your log and videos. Ask specifically, “Do you think this could be neurological, and should we see a specialist?”
  3. Ask about referral to a veterinary neurologist
    Many general veterinarians welcome specialist input, especially for seizures or suspected brain lesions.
  4. Discuss all options transparently
    Ask your care team to outline:
    • Best-case and worst-case outcomes for surgery vs. medical management
    • Likely costs and follow-up needs
    • How they’ll help you monitor quality of life
  5. Consider a second opinion if you feel uncertain
    Especially with big decisions like brain surgery, another specialist’s perspective can be invaluable.

The Science Behind Hope: How Veterinary Neurosurgery Is Evolving

Over the last decade, veterinary neurosurgery has advanced rapidly, mirroring some of the progress seen in human medicine:

  • Improved imaging means vets can detect brain lesions earlier and with more precision.
  • Refined surgical techniques allow more targeted approaches, reducing collateral damage to healthy brain tissue.
  • Better anesthesia and ICU care enhance safety during and after complex operations.

Recent reviews in veterinary neurology journals suggest that, for certain types of brain tumors (like extra-axial meningiomas), surgery can lead to median survival times of a year or more, sometimes substantially longer when combined with radiation or chemotherapy. Outcomes depend heavily on:

  • The tumor type and location
  • Whether the mass can be fully removed
  • The dog’s age and underlying health conditions

While public summaries of Woody’s case don’t list every clinical detail, his story aligns with this broader evidence: in the right dog, with the right team, brain surgery can be truly life-saving—not just life-prolonging.

Veterinarian reviewing brain scan images on a computer screen
High-resolution MRI and CT scans help veterinary neurologists decide whether complex brain surgery is appropriate. (Representative image via Pexels)

For more on veterinary neurology and neurosurgery, see resources from organizations like the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology) and peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.


Before and After: How Life Can Change for Dogs Like Woody

To make the impact of Woody’s surgery easier to visualize, here’s a simple before/after snapshot based on typical cases like his:


Before Surgery

  • Unsteady gait and stumbling on walks
  • Subtle but worrying personality changes
  • Progressively worsening neurological signs
  • Fear and uncertainty for the family

After Surgery & Recovery

  • Return to daily walks and familiar routines
  • More stable movement and coordination
  • Improved comfort and engagement
  • Time for more shared memories with family
Dog peacefully resting at home after veterinary treatment, symbolizing healing and comfort
Rest, time, and gentle care at home are essential parts of recovery after any major surgery. (Representative image via Pexels)

Moving Forward With Courage, Compassion, and Clear Information

Woody’s story is more than just a feel-good headline about an “adorable good boy.” It’s a reminder that veterinary medicine is evolving rapidly—and that, with the right team and circumstances, even complex brain conditions in dogs can sometimes be treated successfully.


If your own dog is facing neurological issues, you don’t have to navigate that fear alone. Surround yourself with a veterinary team you trust, ask every question you need to, and remember that choosing what’s best for your pet’s comfort and dignity is always an act of love—whether that includes high-tech surgery, careful medical management, or, sometimes, simply keeping them as comfortable as possible for as long as you can.


Your gentle next step: If something about your dog’s behavior or movement is worrying you, take five minutes today to write down what you’re seeing and schedule a visit with your veterinarian. Early conversations, like the one that helped Woody, can open doors you didn’t know were there.