AN emergency veterinary practice in the Scottish Borders is warning dog owners about the hidden dangers posed by sticks and low-hanging branches after a much-loved pet narrowly survived a horrific injury.
The owners of Rosa, an energetic German Wire-Haired Pointer, have praised the out-of-hours team at E-Vets in Galashiels, which is a dedicated out-of-hours service as part of Galedin Vets, after the family dog suffered a severe tear to her side in a freak accident.
Rosa was enjoying her favourite walk near her home in Kelso when she ran into a low-hanging branch, which ripped open a 12cm wound along her side, when she was a mile from home.
The stick narrowly missed piercing the five-year-old’s chest and abdomen which could have cost Rosa her life. The stick had pierced the skin starting at the side of her chest extending all the way down to her groin area.
Owner Craig Renton heard her yelp in pain and had to carry her part of the way home as he was unable to get a signal on his mobile phone in the woodland. When he was eventually able to call wife Carole, the couple rang E-Vets in Galashiels and drove her to the practice, where the veterinary team was waiting to rush her in for treatment.
Rosa made a remarkable receovery
Rosa was immediately sedated and then anaesthetised while vet Rebecca Seraphin and veterinary nurse Danni Johnston carefully cleaned twigs and other debris from the wound, which needed 15 stitches.
Within just a few hours, Rosa was able to return home with her family and has gone on to make a remarkable recovery.
However, others have not been so lucky as E-Vets and Galedin Vets have treated many other dogs with serious injuries caused by sticks, some of whom sadly lost their life due to their injuries, prompting a warning from the emergency service which covers the whole of the Scottish Borders.
Rebecca said: “We would urge dog owners to take extra care when walking in woodland or near trees, as sticks and branches can cause serious injuries and, in some cases, can even prove fatal. If dogs are running through wooded areas, they can easily catch themselves on sharp, low-hanging branches. Owners should also think twice before throwing sticks for their dogs to chase, as a stick can become lodged in the ground and cause devastating injuries if a dog runs onto it.
“Rosa was incredibly lucky. She suffered a large flap wound to her side, and it could have been far worse if the branch had penetrated her body wall. We’re delighted to see that she has made such an excellent recovery.”
Care from vets was second to none
E-Vets is the only veterinary clinic in the Scottish Borders with dedicated emergency team members on site 24/7 and is owned by VetPartners, a group of veterinary practices and animal healthcare businesses led by vets.
Rosa is now back to her energetic self following surgery, and owner Carole Renton has thanked the emergency team for the care they provided.
Carole said: “It was a really traumatic experience for us all, and Rosa was in so much pain, but the love and care she received from E-Vets was second to none. When we arrived at E-Vets, I genuinely feared we wouldn’t be taking her home. I was expecting the worst, so I couldn’t believe it when Rebecca phoned after the operation to say Rosa had come round well and that we could collect her.
“She has healed really well, is full of beans again, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who looked after her.”
For media enquiries, contact Amanda Little, PR and Communications Director: [email protected] or 07970 198492