Health · Healthcare & Policy · 4 hrs ago
Help with vet costs saved Dobby after he swallowed a sandal and bottle top
Dobby, a Chihuahua-Dachshund cross in Victoria, swallowed a bottle top and chewed a sandal, causing a life-threatening blockage.
His family was told emergency surgery would cost almost $6,000, a bill they could not afford on their own.
Lort Smith Animal Hospital covered almost $4,000 through its fund for people facing financial hardship, and the family borrowed the remaining $2,000 interest-free.
The case reflects wider pressure on pet owners: a 2025 survey found one in six skipped vet visits to save money, while 54 per cent of Lort Smith’s patients last year received discounted care.
Lort Smith says rising costs and demand are straining its finances, and it is asking Victoria’s government and opposition to commit $1 million in targeted funding ahead of the state election.
The hospital is also seeking another $4 million to expand emergency boarding for pets belonging to people experiencing family violence.
Dobby, a Chihuahua-Dachshund cross, needed emergency surgery after swallowing an olive oil bottle top and chewing a Croc sandal.
The Aarons family could not afford the nearly $6,000 bill and faced the possibility of letting him go.
Lort Smith Animal Hospital’s hardship fund covered almost $4,000, and the family borrowed the remaining $2,000 through a no-interest loan.
Lort Smith says rising costs and demand are putting pressure on its finances and is seeking $1 million in targeted funding.
The hospital is also seeking $4 million to expand crisis-relief animal boarding for pets of people experiencing family violence.
- Who
- Dobby, a Chihuahua-Dachshund cross, and his owners, the Aarons family.
- What
- Dobby had emergency surgery after swallowing a bottle top and chewing a sandal. Financial assistance helped the family pay for it.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Victoria.
- Why
- The objects caused a life-threatening blockage that required emergency surgery.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
He became lethargic and shook, so his family took him to Lort Smith Animal Hospital.
The family learned he had swallowed an olive oil bottle top and chewed a Croc sandal, causing a life-threatening blockage.
Dobby received surgery, funded in part by Lort Smith’s hardship fund and a no-interest loan.
- Surgery estimate
- Almost $6,000
- Lort Smith hardship fund contribution
- Almost $4,000
- Good Shepherd loan
- $2,000, no interest
- Animal Medicines Australia survey
- About 16 per cent of pet owners had accessed financial assistance for veterinary care in 2025
- Funding sought for targeted assistance
- $1 million
- Funding sought for boarding network
- $4 million
What people are saying
[I was] feeling lower than crap because, like, I can’t afford to get my fur baby fixed
Financially, it was incredibly stressful
That’d help us help thousands of animals, and have a massive impact on so many people
It’s the emergencies that are the problem