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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 7th February 2013
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
Homemade construction helps piglet walk
Image: Chris P Bacon
Piglet gets second chance thanks to wheelchair

A piglet that was born with a congenital defect, leaving him unable to use his back legs, has been given a homemade wheelchair to help him get around.

The 10-day-old piglet was brought to Eastside Veterinary Hospital in Clermont, Florida, to be put down, because his owner felt he would have a poor quality of life being unable to walk. However, vet Len Lucero, said he would keep the piglet alive as long as he could, if the owner would agree let him take the animal home.

Dr Lucero was given permission to take the otherwise healthy piglet, named Chris P Bacon, back to his family to see how he could give the animal a better life. After a long play together, he decided to construct hind support for Chris P Bacon out of K'Nex – his children's building set.

Though Dr Lucero said the animal didn't like the two-wheel harness at first, he has already adjusted to it, adding that the Walkin' Wheels organisation has donated a sturdier wheelchair for when Chris P Bacon gets bigger.

"Chris weighs two pounds so he is too small now but should grow into [the donated wheelchair] before long. For now we'll have to stick with K'Nex," he commented.

Click here to watch a video of the Chris P Bacon getting about using his wheels, which has received more than 180,000 views since it was posted on January 26.

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.