When Premium Surgical Expertise Meets a Life-Saving Mission: Introducing Dr. Ben Mielke
When top-tier surgical expertise meets a life-saving mission, every patient wins.
Finding out your dog needs complex surgery—whether it’s intricate airway correction, spinal treatment, or orthopaedic repair—is every pet parent’s nightmare. You want the absolute best surgical care available, delivered by someone who understands just how deeply you love your four-legged family member.
Enter Lort Smith Animal Hospital's newly launched Specialist Surgical Services, commencing August 10.
Led by European Board-Certified Specialist Surgeon Dr Ben Mielke, Lort Smith is expanding its in-house capabilities to care for complex neurosurgery, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), urogenital, and musculoskeletal cases under one trusted roof.
Even better? Choosing Lort Smith for your dog’s specialist care creates a powerful ripple effect: funds generated through these full-fee specialist services flow directly back into supporting Lort Smith’s essential community programs, helping Aussie families doing it tough keep their beloved pets healthy. High-end care for your dog directly fuels hope for another.
Meet the Champion: Dr Ben Mielke
Behind the impressive academic credentials and European board certification is a vet who genuinely loves the puzzle—and the passion—of surgical medicine.
“I have always been fascinated with how things work,” says Dr Ben. “As a surgeon, I am often able to fix things that are broken, remove things that are not where they are supposed to be, and help people in what can be really hard times. Understanding how the problem develops allows us to create solutions... The more I learn, the more I realise there is to learn.”
Dr Ben brings a special focus on training future surgeons, expanding community access to high-level care, and building a world-class surgical reputation at Lort Smith.
His deep expertise in complex ENT and soft tissue cases—including Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)—makes him a vital lifeline for owners of flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Frenchies who need expert airway intervention. (If you're caring for a flat-faced dog this season, be sure to catch up on our essential guide on Bulldog winter breathing warnings and BOAS symptoms).
Off-Duty Dr Ben: Lego, Chickens, and Cold Water Swims
When he’s not in theatre performing life-changing surgeries, Dr Ben is living full-throttle pet dad life at home with:
- Herman the Lab: A very friendly, slightly silly black Labrador named Herman who loves beach trips and has an unfortunate habit of trying to eat the kids’ Lego.
- The Backyard Crew: Three lively chickens—Frida, Hermione, and Rosemary—who spend their days digging up the garden and chasing the kids.
- A Chilly Routine: Every Saturday morning, rain or shine, you’ll find Dr Ben taking an icy dip in the bay with a childhood friend. (“We are not very brave, but we are always there!” he laughs).
Advanced Surgical Capabilities
Beginning August 10, Lort Smith’s specialist surgical unit will officially handle complex cases across:
 |
| Dr Ben conducting a BOAS airway check on a Bulldog |
✔ Neurosurgery: Advanced spinal and neurological conditions.
✔ ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat): Specialised airway surgery, including BOAS correction for brachycephalic breeds.
✔ Musculoskeletal & Traumatology: Intricate orthopaedic repairs, fracture care, and joint surgeries.
✔ Urogenital Surgery: Soft tissue repair and specialised urinary tract procedures.
How Pet Parents Can Access Specialist Care
If your dog is facing a complex surgical condition and you want specialist care backed by a legendary social mission, accessing Dr Ben and the team at Lort Smith is simple.
You can access the specialist service via:
- Direct Contact: Call the Lort Smith team directly on (03) 9328 3021 to discuss or arrange a specialist surgical consultation.
- External Vet Referral: Ask your primary care veterinarian to refer your dog directly to Lort Smith Specialist Services.
- Internal Referral: Existing Lort Smith patients can be referred internally by their attending veterinarian.
All photography supplied by Lort Smith Animal Hospital.
