Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Fire brigade rescues dog stuck in harness
The fire service used a tool to cut the buckle off of Lola's leg.

Lola trapped her leg through the buckle of her car harness. 

A three-year-old miniature pinscher from Wolstanton had to be cut free by the fire service when she accidentally got her leg stuck in the buckle of her car seat harness.

Leighanne Harrison, explained how her dog Lola came to be in that situation: “Lola gets very excited in the car and likes to stand up on the seat being nosey and looking out of the window, so we always use a safety harness, attached to the seatbelt, to keep her safe and secure.

“However, when we were taking it off, she somehow managed to put her leg through the buckle and it quickly became completely stuck. 

“We knew we needed to get some help and decided to call White Cross Vets who we have been with since Lola was a puppy.”

The team at White Cross Vets tried to help Lola by lubricating the buckle and shaving the hair around it to make more space and slide her leg out, but it became apparent that none of the tactics the team was using would work.

Pulling Lola's leg could break the fragile bones in her leg, and the team didn't want to risk that, so they called the fire service, who quickly arrived to save the day.

Holly Ravenhall, clinic director at White Cross Vets, said: “This was a very unusual case and something we’d never seen before, but dogs have a habit of surprising us and Lola is no exception!

“In the end, it became clear that it needed to be cut off and that’s when we decided to call the fire service’s non-emergency number. They were fantastic and promptly turned up in a fire engine, with all the kit. 

“We initially thought she’d have to go under a general anaesthetic for the procedure, but they had a tool that was perfect for the job, and they cut it off in a matter of minutes, with Lola staying calm throughout, much to everyone’s relief.”

Leighanne, Lola's owner, added: “Thankfully Lola wasn’t traumatised by the incident and still loves her car journeys, but we now hold her paws when we’re taking the harness off to make sure it never happens again!”

 

Image (C) White Cross Vets

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.