Tiny Dog's Rare Medical Condition Leads To Adorable Invention

When a tiny Chihuahua named Niblett arrived at Humane Educational Society (HES) a couple of weeks ago, the shelter staff were instantly smitten with him. The young puppy weighed just over 2 pounds and was far from the shelter’s first Chihuahua, but something about him set him apart from the rest.

In addition to his bubbly personality, Niblett appeared to have a rare medical condition. Further testing soon confirmed what the sweet boy was dealing with.

“[I]t soon became evident that Niblett had a serious medical condition: hydrocephalus, or ‘water on the brain,’ which caused a soft spot on his skull that had not fully fused,” HES wrote in a press release shared with The Dodo. “The condition made him extremely vulnerable to minor injuries, posing a significant threat to his life.”

The concerned staff immediately started brainstorming ways to protect Niblett’s skull. It was a daunting task due to his size and shape, but officer Leigh Stacy had an idea.

“Officer Leigh Stacy recommended that Niblett needs a cap,” HES wrote.

Another HES staff member, Dr. Samantha Blair, agreed with Stacy’s recommendation and contacted the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s College of Engineering and Computer Science for help. Associate professor Dr. Trevor Elliot and recent graduate Connor Mackey were instantly interested in Niblett’s case.

“As soon as I saw Niblett’s cute little face, I said, ‘We’ve got to help,’” Dr. Elliot shared in the press release.

Mackey, who’d had extensive experience in 3D printing, knew just how to help. First, they’d have to measure Niblett’s skull.

“The team collaborated with Volkswagen’s Justin Stephens to scan Niblett’s head and create a 3D image,” HES wrote.

Once they’d measured Niblett’s skull, the team got to work designing the perfect cap. It wasn’t long before they landed on the perfect option.

“They developed multiple iterations of protective headgear, ultimately creating a football helmet-like design that Niblett quickly took to,” HES wrote.

A few days later, Niblett finally tried on his custom 3D-printed helmet, which fit him perfectly. He’s been wearing it consistently ever since, and his caregivers can already see an improvement.

“‘We believe he’s in the best possible place to have a good outcome and the longest life he can in a happy home,” HES’ director of veterinary services, Sarah Callahan, said in the press release.
 

Niblett’s still searching for the perfect forever home, but, thankfully for the sweet boy, there’s no shortage of love at HES’ headquarters. His dedicated caregivers are happy to look after him for as long as he needs and enjoy watching him thrive in the meantime.

“As Niblett continues his journey, he stands as a testament to the extraordinary lengths that dedicated individuals and organizations will go to ensure a brighter future for those in need,” HES wrote. “It’s really cool that you can save a dog’s life using these techniques.”