Jack Russell Terrier rescued after being injured by an escaped dog

Whilst we might not like to think about the prospect, sadly sometimes dogs do injure each other. With the summer months ahead, a national vet charity, PDSA, is offering advice on what to do if your pet-pooch is embroiled in a fight with another dog, after a small terrier encountered an escaped dog out on a spring walk.

When Lucy, a 13-year-old Jack Russell Terrier from Gateshead, and her owner, Janine Webb, headed out for their routine evening walk, neither expected them to come into contact with a roaming dog without an owner in sight.

Thankfully, vets at Gateshead PDSA Pet Hospital were on hand to provide the emergency care needed to tend to Lucy’s sustained injuries following the dog bites. The vet charity is sharing Lucy’s story as the warmer weather lures more dog owners out for lovely walks, meaning more dogs come into contact with one-another.

Janine, Lucy’s devoted owner, said: “We only managed to take a few steps out of my garden when the dog from over the road who had escaped, darted over, and latched onto Lucy. I tried to get Lucy away, but the dog shook her like a rag doll. I quickly realised that he wasn’t going to let go.”

Once Lucy had been freed by two local police offers who happened to be passing, it was clear she had been seriously injured and needed emergency veterinary treatment. Janine contacted her local Gateshead PDSA Pet Hospital for help, and they advised her to visit straight away. Upon arrival, Lucy was thoroughly assessed, and Janine was advised she would need to receive overnight emergency treatment.

“I was heartbroken leaving the Pet Hospital alone. It was the first time we had ever been apart, and I was terrified that we may have said goodbye for good.”

Faith Willsher, a Vet Surgeon at Gateshead PDSA Pet Hospital, said: “Lucy’s injuries were severe. On first examination, she had very prominent bite wounds along her back, some of which were deep. She was admitted for pain relief, antibiotics, a drip, and sedation so we could further assess her wounds.

“Luckily, X-rays showed no internal injuries. However, three deep wounds had caused Lucy’s skin to rip away from the muscle over her back. If left untreated, as well as being extremely painful, they risked becoming infected, which could lead to life-threatening sepsis. All three wounds were carefully cleaned under anaesthetic and stitched up. A drain was placed under the skin to help clear any fluid build-up and prevent infection.”

After a second night of care and monitoring in the Pet Hospital, Lucy returned home to Janine with instructions to rest, wear a cone collar to prevent her licking her stitches, and continue her pain relief and antibiotics. The pair were thrilled to be reunited after a troubling 48 hours apart.

As part of her recovery, Lucy regularly returned to the Pet Hospital to have her wounds cleaned and her dressings reapplied. Unfortunately, as is a common complication following dog bites, the wound became infected despite antibiotics and regular check-ups.

Lucy had to have another anaesthetic to assess the extent of the damage, and sadly, the vet had to remove a large amount of infected skin. A special dressing was applied to protect the area and to help manage the infection and promote healing, which following regular check-ups was soon under control.

One month after the incident, PDSA vets were delighted with Lucy’s progress and signed her off from further treatment.

Janine said: “I honestly don’t know what I would have done if PDSA didn’t exist. I receive benefits, so there’s no way I would have been able to pay for the treatment she needed – it’s money I don’t have to spare.

“I would have gotten into debt or been forced to do the unthinkable and put Lucy to sleep. But she is my world and best friend; she’s the gentlest, loving dog I’ve ever known.”

Faith concluded: “A well-socialised dog will not normally be actively aggressive towards other dogs and won’t go around looking to attack others.  But any dog can become aggressive if they are afraid and feel there is no other way out of the situation. This can be due to a current perceived threat or even past experience making them uncomfortable.

“Although it can be distressing if a dog becomes aggressive, try not to panic. Panic can make the circumstances worse – and if you try to pull your dog out of harm’s way both of you could end up with some nasty injuries. Instead, making a loud noise from a distance can help to distract the other dog, but don’t shout at or make eye contact with them, as this can make them feel more threatened and worsen the situation.

“Luckily, Lucy’s devoted owner ensured she received emergency treatment that allowed her to recover quickly.”

For more expert PDSA advice on what to do if your dog is attacked by another, visit: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/dog-attacks  

Avoid stepping into danger at Scottish walking festivals

  • The summer season will see thousands of people take park in walking festivals across Scotland
  • Common injuries at these kind of events include fractures, food poisoning while foraging, and falling ill from extreme weather 
  • Earlier this year, six people lost their lives on mountains across Scotland in the space of two weeks, highlighting the danger of walking when unprepared

Summer is here, meaning that walking festival season in Scotland is officially upon us.

In the next few days, major festivals including the Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival, taking place from 17-27 June, and The Great Scottish Walk and Run Festival, on 26 June, are happening. Whether you’re taking part in a short stroll, running 5K, or hiking in the mountains, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards.

To ensure that you create happy memories, and that nothing gets in the way of you having an enjoyable time, National Accident Helpline provides some top tips on staying safe whilst venturing out into the great outdoors. 

  1. Slippery slopes

Walking or hiking is one of the best ways to experience Scotland. With this being said, it’s no surprise that slips and trips are commonplace amongst walkers, especially when combined with poor weather conditions. 

Whilst out walking in the countryside, public toilets can be a particular area of danger. The combination of muddy walking boots and the smooth surface of a toilet floor is a clear slip and trip hazard, which can result in injuries such as ankle sprains and broken bones. Other hazards to watch out for whilst out hiking include uneven or rocky surfaces and wet, slippery grass.

To keep safe, avoid walking on rough ground, especially on hazardous terrain that contains loose and large stones. This is important to remember when walking on slopes or mountainsides. The best way to keep your footing and balance is by using trekking poles.

It may seem obvious, but also make sure you wear the right footwear. If you’re walking on roads, choose lighter boots, as heavy footwear can cause you to drag your feet, which can lead to a trip. If you’re carrying a backpack, then boots with ankle support are essential. 

  1. Food poisoning whilst foraging 

Food poisoning – whether from uncooked food prepared by a street food vendor or by foraging for your own – is another factor that can risk your health whilst at a walking festival. 

Although foraging is a fun way to get up close to nature and wildlife in Scotland, it can be extremely harmful, especially if you do not know what to look for. 

To avoid harming your health, there’s a few simple rules to follow: 

  • In line with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s illegal to collect wild plants or fungi on a National Nature Reserve (NNR) or a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
  • Pick from clean areas, avoiding places subject to pollution. To avoid contamination, remember to wash your food and hands before and after you eat. 
  • Know what you’re picking, as some species of mushroom and fungi are poisonous and can even be fatal. Before the festival, remember to learn about the various species and read the Scottish Wild Mushroom Code

Although street food vendors at festivals are generally safe, if you do find yourself falling ill, immediately report it to the local council. Reporting the vendor will often lead to an investigation taking place and something being done to prevent it from happening again.  

Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, you could also claim compensation if you can prove that a caterer has caused you to become poisoned by food. 

  1. Beating extreme weather

As the weather can change in an instant, the Scottish outdoors should be taken seriously. Although Scotland has a mild climate, the combination of wind and wet weather means that hypothermia can be a significant hazard.

To avoid hypothermia, wear and carry appropriate shell and insulated clothing, including a spare hat and gloves. Additionally, make sure to carry snacks that you can graze on throughout the day and which will give you plenty of energy. 

With heatwaves being predicted, heat exhaustion or heatstroke is another factor watch out for. To avoid falling ill, wear light-coloured, loose clothing, stay hydrated, and try to walk in the shade where possible. If you do find yourself falling ill, contact the festival first aiders as soon as possible. 

Jonathan White, Legal and Compliance Director at National Accident Helpline, said: ‘’With the weather heating up and walking festivals set to get into full swing in Scotland, it’s vital that those attending are fully prepared to avoid any risk of personal injury. 

‘’Whether you’re going to a nature foraging walk or having a peaceful stroll along the Moray coast, keep safe by ensuring you’re fully prepared for the great outdoors. Invest in suitable clothing and equipment (such as a compass), watch out for trip hazards, be cautious whilst foraging, and prepare for all weather conditions. Doing these simple things will mean you’ll have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable festival experience.’’ 

For more information about National Accident Helpline, or to find out how you can make a claim, please visit:

https://www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/news/summer-festival-safety

Witness appeal following Maybury collision

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision involving two vehicles at the Maybury junction last night.

The incident happened at around 6.50pm on the A8 Glasgow Road at the Maybury junction.

A blue BMW 3 Series driving east was involved in a collision with a double decker bus on the opposite side of the road just before the Maybury junction, near the Marriott Hotel.

The 52-year-old male driver of the BMW was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and is in a serious condition with potentially life changing injuries.

The 44-year-old male bus driver was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with minor injuries. There were six passengers on board and one suffered minor injuries.

Inspector Roger Park, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “We’re appealing to anyone who witnessed this collision or has dash cam footage to contact us.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3048 of 26 October.