A MUCH-LOVED Chihuahua has bounced back from life-saving surgery thanks to the care and expertise of Laurels Veterinary Surgery.
When Stan fell ill and started vomiting, his owners rushed him to Laurels Vets in Runcorn where an X-ray revealed a jagged-edged stone in his intestine.
Vet Jane Montgomery surgically removed the stone during a delicate operation, with support from registered veterinary nurses Sarah Bayley, Olivia Atlas and Helen Birch who continued to monitor seven-year-old Stan until he was taken to Beech House Veterinary Centre in Warrington where he received overnight care.
Laurels Vets’ clinical director Philippa Bradley, pictured below right with RVN Sarah Bayley and Stan’s owner Stephen Hassey, said: “Without surgery the stone would have remained in Stan’s small intestines and stopped blood supply getting to the intestinal wall. This could then cause peritonitis which is a life-threatening condition.
“Stan was discharged the following day and has had two post-operative checks which showed he was recovering well.
“My advice to anyone whose pet is off their food, quieter in themselves or vomiting, is to contact your veterinary practice for advice as these symptoms could be a sign of a foreign object. Equally, if you see your pet eat anything it shouldn’t, please get in touch. Stones and bones can get lodged in their intestines and cause an obstruction, while other things like chocolate or raisins can be toxic.”
Owners Julie and Stephen Hassey, who live in Runcorn, have praised the veterinary team for saving their pet’s life.
It is the second time Stan has undergone emergency surgery for eating stones. The first time, he ate three pebbles from the family’s garden when he was just 20 months old and was taken to Laurels Vets.
Before his latest trip to the practice, the couple became concerned when Stan was quieter than usual, had very little appetite and had been sick during the day and night.
Julie said: “Stan has now had the same operation twice at Laurels Vets. When he was born, he was the runt of the litter and was in an incubator as a newborn. Since then, he has always been very greedy and eats really quickly – it’s like he just inhales food.
“The first time this happened, he wasn’t eating at all. He seemed sleepy, was pale around the mouth and was throwing up. We took him to the vets where X-rays showed he had swallowed three pebbles from the border in the garden. He had to have major surgery to save his life. We took every pebble out of the garden to prevent it happening again.
“He had the same symptoms again this time, but it was a random stone he had picked up somewhere. It was jagged so I don’t even know how he swallowed it. Thanks to Laurels Vets, he is fine now and is back to his old, greedy self.”
Article by Nadia Jefferson-Brown, PR Manager (North)
Email: Nadia.jeffersonbrown@vetpartners.co.uk