Vets and nurses at a Hexham veterinary practice have been praised for saving the life of a Border Collie who suffered horrific injuries after having his side ripped open in a freak accident.
Ned, a four-year-old family pet, is lucky to be alive after slicing open his side while chasing a ball on his favourite walk along the banks of the River Tyne at Blaydon with owner Marcus Klemm.
Marcus heard a yelp and saw his dog rolling over and over, before standing still in shock while his owner raced over to him and made the gruesome discovery.
It is not known how Ned suffered the 15-inch (40-centimetre) gaping wound, stretching from his armpit up and around his ribcage to his back, but it is thought a sharp branch or piece of scrap metal could have been responsible.
His frantic owner wrapped his fleece jacket around his pet in a desperate bid to stem the flow of blood. He ringing his wife Helen to drive to their rescue and called ahead to ask Hadrian Vets to prepare for their arrival.
Vet Paulina Cudzilo, head veterinary nurse Jenny Glass and veterinary nurse Claire Kealey were already waiting at the door when the couple arrived at the practice in Dene Avenue, before performing life-saving surgery.
After being given strong pain relief, Ned, who had gone into shock from his ordeal, was x-rayed to ensure there was no metal or sharp pieces of wood stuck inside him, before undergoing surgery to stitch the flap of skin.
The much-loved pet – a blue merle collie – was even able to go home later that day to be with his grateful family in Stella, near Blaydon, where he lives with Marcus and Helen and their children, Evie, 15, and 12-year-old twins Felix and Stefan.
Marcus, a hotel manager in Newcastle, said: “Ned loves going for walks and chasing balls with our other collie Bill. The day of the accident was so traumatic and I don’t know what we would have done without the amazing team at Hadrian Vets.
“While driving to the vets, we didn’t know what to expect as all the skin was hanging off and we couldn’t help but fear the worst. The Hadrian team were waiting at the door when I arrived covered in blood with Ned in my arms, and they were so calm and reassuring.
“We left him at the practice feeling he was in safe hands and they would do everything they could for him. Ned has only needed routine health checks until this accident, but when we really needed them, the Hadrian team really stepped up during the most traumatic time.”
After returning to the practice regularly to have his wound checked and stitches removed once it was properly healed, Ned is now well on the road to recovery after his ordeal.
He has been awarded with one of the practice’s bravery certificates, presented to patients showing real courage during recovery from injury, trauma or extensive treatments such as chemotherapy.
Head nurse Jenny, who has looked after Ned on his visits to Hadrian Vets for routine healthcare since he was an eight-week-old pup, said it was the worst wound they have ever encountered at the practice.
Jenny added: “Ned has been very lucky because if, his abdomen or chest had been penetrated by whatever caused the injury, it would have been life-threatening.
“The actions of Ned’s dad, who covered up the injury and got him here quickly, was brilliant, especially when he was in a state of shock as a lot of owners would have quite understandably gone to pieces seeing the skin peeled off like that.
“Ned was the bravest boy. We’ve looked after him since he was a puppy so he is very special to the practice.”
