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Let Alfie's Corking Tale be a Warning to Pet Owners

Mar 11, 2010

 

Let Alfie’s Corking Tale be a Warning say the Woolgars from Boxgrove
A six year old West Highland Terrier got more than he bargained for when he started exploring the boundaries of his new home in Boxgrove, Guildford, in February 2010.  Alfie, owned by Grant and Amber Woolgar, unearthed a pile of rubbish dumped in the garden and swallowed a large cork which became wedged in his intestine.   Only prompt action by his owners in getting him to the vet saved Alfie’s life.
Helen Gething, vet at the Guildford branch of Pet Doctors, said that the cork was firmly embedded in his small intestine and causing a blockage that would soon have proved fatal if left untreated.
The Woolgar family moved to their new home in December 2009 but, because of the adverse weather, had not had an opportunity to check the garden thoroughly.  On 17 February 2010, Alfie became lethargic and started vomiting frequently.  They took him at once to Pet Doctors where an X-ray showed an obstruction in his stomach.   Helen Gething and her team operated on Alfie and removed the large cork.  They also had to remove 15 cm of his intestine which it had damaged before it got stuck.
“We were so upset when we realised how ill Alfie was and that he might not survive,” said Amber Woolgar.   “It was a very frightening time and we’re so grateful to Helen and her team for the care he received.  It’s wonderful to have him back at home and getting better every day.
 “We’d hate anyone else to go through this experience so our advice to pet owners who may be moving house is to check the garden and boundaries very carefully for anything that might cause harm to their pet or enable it to escape.”
Helen Gething added:   “The Woolgars did the right thing in bringing Alfie to us so quickly.  Even before we operated, we knew he was in a bad way because normally when we try to examine him, he’s very lively and not keen on our attentions.  This time he hardly moved and was too weak to object.   The damage the cork had caused to his insides was very serious but fortunately we were able to remove it and repair the injuries it had caused.
We’re all very relieved that he’s pulled through the operation and is now safely back at home.   In this case, prompt action definitely saved the day.”

 

Alfie with Jemima Woolgar and Helen GethingA six year old West Highland Terrier got more than he bargained for when he started exploring the boundaries of his new home in Boxgrove, Guildford, in February 2010.  Alfie, owned by Grant and Amber Woolgar, unearthed a pile of rubbish dumped in the garden and swallowed a large cork which became wedged in his intestine.   Only prompt action by his owners in getting him to the vet saved Alfie’s life.

Helen Gething, vet at the Guildford branch of Pet Doctors, said that the cork was firmly embedded in his small intestine and causing a blockage that would soon have proved fatal if left untreated.

The Woolgar family moved to their new home in December 2009 but, because of the adverse weather, had not had an opportunity to check the garden thoroughly.  On 17 February 2010, Alfie became lethargic and started vomiting frequently.  They took him at once to Pet Doctors where an X-ray showed an obstruction in his stomach.   Helen Gething and her team operated on Alfie and removed the large cork.  They also had to remove 15 cm of his intestine which it had damaged before it got stuck.

“We were so upset when we realised how ill Alfie was and that he might not survive,” said Amber Woolgar.   “It was a very frightening time and we’re so grateful to Helen and her team for the care he received.  It’s wonderful to have him back at home and getting better every day.

 “We’d hate anyone else to go through this experience so our advice to pet owners who may be moving house is to check the garden and boundaries very carefully for anything that might cause harm to their pet or enable it to escape.”

Helen Gething added:   “The Woolgars did the right thing in bringing Alfie to us so quickly.  Even before we operated, we knew he was in a bad way because normally when we try to examine him, he’s very lively and not keen on our attentions.  This time he hardly moved and was too weak to object.   The damage the cork had caused to his insides was very serious but fortunately we were able to remove it and repair the injuries it had caused.

We’re all very relieved that he’s pulled through the operation and is now safely back at home.   In this case, prompt action definitely saved the day.”

 

 

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