It has been another eventful and worrying spell st the kennels, with our own TV star Ged being critically ill.
It was a strange one as he started the day bright as a button, but by mid morning a few of us all noticed at the same time that he was standing up in his kennel and looking very uncomfortable. I rushed in to see him and was horrified to see his stomach twice the width of the rest of his body, instantly I knew exactly what it was.
A stomach torsion (twist) is a killer, I've seen it a few times before and with a mixed survival rate, so without hesitation I stuck a muzzle on him and carried him into the van.
At this point I think it's only fair that I remind you a little of his story. Ged was found as a stray with his collar out of position and digging into his skin. He was wearing it like a sash and, the way the leather was all distorted to the shape of his body meant it had been like that for some time.
Understandably he was showing horrendous fear aggression, so bad that nobody could touch him, the collar had to be cut off with extendable wire cutters. Such was his state, the BBC ran his story on the Inside Out program.
As you can imagine this meant that he wasnt a prime candidate for a vets trip, but he seemed to know that his life depended on it. Throughout his time at the hospital his behaviour was impeccable.
Moorview were brilliant and had a vet standing ready for us as soon as we arrived. She whisked him out of my arms and straight into theatre.
I really didn't know if I'd ever see him again.
It was strange because Staffys don't normally suffer this condition. It's usually the larger, barrel chested breeds. Yet a scan showed there was a definite twist, which raised another concern. Sometimes Staffys are prone to a tumour on the pancreas, the vet told me, which of course is right next to the stomach. Could it be such a growth that had put so much pressure on the stomach that it had flipped?
My heart sunk at this point. The only way of telling was by opening him up. If the suspicions were correct and there was indeed a huge mass, we would have to let him go there and then.
I got back into my van and anxiously waited for the phone call.
I am delighted to say that there was no tumour. The twist was corrected and surgery performed to stop it happening again. Forty eight hours after the operation he came and stayed the night at my house. Just like he did before his TV appearance.
Once again he was the perfect guest, clean over night and brilliant with my dogs. I am so proud of him.
Of course all this comes at a cost and, so soon after Sadie's big bill I hate to be asking again. The total cost of saving Geds life came to £1752.03. He is worth every penny, so if anyone can help us with the bill it would be a massive help.
You can donate:
Via PayPal:
please mark your donation GED
https://www.paypal.me/shaksanctuary
Or via cheque (made payable to SHAK with GED on the back) to SHAK. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.
Or by popping into our SHAK Shop at 12 Bowes Street Blyth NE24 1BD.
Ged has come on so far since he arrived, being able to help him once more and more importantly the fact he allowed everyone to do so, shows he has learnt to trust, at least a little bit, and that to us means so much.
(For those who havent seen it, or for those who want to watch again, here is our own star on the BBC.)
It was a strange one as he started the day bright as a button, but by mid morning a few of us all noticed at the same time that he was standing up in his kennel and looking very uncomfortable. I rushed in to see him and was horrified to see his stomach twice the width of the rest of his body, instantly I knew exactly what it was.
A stomach torsion (twist) is a killer, I've seen it a few times before and with a mixed survival rate, so without hesitation I stuck a muzzle on him and carried him into the van.
At this point I think it's only fair that I remind you a little of his story. Ged was found as a stray with his collar out of position and digging into his skin. He was wearing it like a sash and, the way the leather was all distorted to the shape of his body meant it had been like that for some time.
Understandably he was showing horrendous fear aggression, so bad that nobody could touch him, the collar had to be cut off with extendable wire cutters. Such was his state, the BBC ran his story on the Inside Out program.
As you can imagine this meant that he wasnt a prime candidate for a vets trip, but he seemed to know that his life depended on it. Throughout his time at the hospital his behaviour was impeccable.
Moorview were brilliant and had a vet standing ready for us as soon as we arrived. She whisked him out of my arms and straight into theatre.
I really didn't know if I'd ever see him again.
It was strange because Staffys don't normally suffer this condition. It's usually the larger, barrel chested breeds. Yet a scan showed there was a definite twist, which raised another concern. Sometimes Staffys are prone to a tumour on the pancreas, the vet told me, which of course is right next to the stomach. Could it be such a growth that had put so much pressure on the stomach that it had flipped?
My heart sunk at this point. The only way of telling was by opening him up. If the suspicions were correct and there was indeed a huge mass, we would have to let him go there and then.
I got back into my van and anxiously waited for the phone call.
I am delighted to say that there was no tumour. The twist was corrected and surgery performed to stop it happening again. Forty eight hours after the operation he came and stayed the night at my house. Just like he did before his TV appearance.
Once again he was the perfect guest, clean over night and brilliant with my dogs. I am so proud of him.
Of course all this comes at a cost and, so soon after Sadie's big bill I hate to be asking again. The total cost of saving Geds life came to £1752.03. He is worth every penny, so if anyone can help us with the bill it would be a massive help.
You can donate:
Via PayPal:
please mark your donation GED
https://www.paypal.me/shaksanctuary
Or via cheque (made payable to SHAK with GED on the back) to SHAK. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.
Or by popping into our SHAK Shop at 12 Bowes Street Blyth NE24 1BD.
Ged has come on so far since he arrived, being able to help him once more and more importantly the fact he allowed everyone to do so, shows he has learnt to trust, at least a little bit, and that to us means so much.
(For those who havent seen it, or for those who want to watch again, here is our own star on the BBC.)
