{"id":1113,"date":"2024-06-07T16:43:49","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T15:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boundaryvets.co.uk\/news\/?p=1113"},"modified":"2026-03-20T11:27:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T11:27:01","slug":"rusty-the-dog-undergoes-urgent-care-after-becoming-impaled-on-a-9-inch-rusty-spike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boundaryvets.co.uk\/news\/rusty-the-dog-undergoes-urgent-care-after-becoming-impaled-on-a-9-inch-rusty-spike\/","title":{"rendered":"Rusty the dog undergoes urgent care after becoming impaled on a 9-inch rusty spike!"},"content":{"rendered":"

An \u2018accident prone\u2019 pooch called Rusty needed urgent veterinary care after becoming impaled on a nine-inch rusty spike while out on a walk.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to his doting owners, eight-year-old Rusty has quite a track record in causing chaos and is no stranger to Boundary Vets in Abingdon, having been treated on a number of occasions to remove foreign objects he\u2019d snaffled. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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However, on this occasion Rusty could have faced a life-threatening condition after the pug-Jack Russell crossbreed ran on to a rusty spike while out with his dog walker, who immediately rushed him to the vets. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vet, Elizabeth Couper, took charge of the dramatic case and discovered the spike had penetrated three-and-a-half inches into Rusty\u2019s chest, although mercifully missed his vital organs. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Elizabeth explained: \u201cRusty\u2019s dog walker brought him in and said they\u2019d just heard a yelp and then saw him holding his leg out to the side in an unusual position.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cA closer inspection revealed Rusty had run onto a long spike and, although it had come out on its own, the dog walker had still brought it along, which was very helpful.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very long spike and we could see from the blood covered end just how far it had penetrated.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI examined Rusty and his breathing, and his lungs and heart all seemed fine and settled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a visible puncture wound to his chest, though. It was not actively bleeding but we could see it extended through the muscle layers and so required further investigation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRusty was prepared for surgery and given a general anaesthetic, allowing me to make a sharp incision and dissect down to explore the extent of the damage.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe puncture wound was clearly visible through the muscle layers and as I examined the surrounding tissue I could see a small dent which I suspected was where the end of the spike had reached.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFortunately, there was no further injuries although some metal flakes were visible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe flushed the wound with copious amounts of saline to clear these and to clean the surrounding area and then we carefully closed the incision in three layers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRusty made a speedy recovery and was soon allowed home with pain relief medicine. He came back for a check-up a few days later and had healed wonderfully.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Relieved owners Simon and Lyndsay Wilkinson, from Wootton, said they were stunned and concerned when they heard about the family pet\u2019s accident.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simon said \u201cIt was all a bit of a shock. Our dog walker David rang to say Rusty had impaled himself on a rusty spike, which is quite ironic considering his name.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was all very dramatic as the spike had gone in through his chest. Luckily, though, it had missed all of Rusty\u2019s vital organs and arteries, although he had suffered a nasty, deep flesh wound.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThankfully, he\u2019s back to his normal self now, though, after his latest escapade.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNormally, he\u2019s at Boundary Vets because he\u2019s been scavenging and eaten something he shouldn\u2019t have.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had a couple of operations there, so we know the Boundary Vets well and knew he was in good hands. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been going to them for a long time now and would definitely recommend them. Once again they\u2019ve looked after Rusty really well.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lyndsay added: \u201cRusty has got a history of being very accident prone but this time I was very worried about him.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThankfully, he was incredibly lucky again! He was just millimetres away from a serious injury so it was a real scare but he\u2019s absolutely fine now.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has made an amazing recovery and was back to his normal self within a week or two so we\u2019re very relieved and grateful.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn about our emergency care for your pet\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An \u2018accident prone\u2019 pooch called Rusty needed urgent veterinary care after becoming impaled on a nine-inch rusty spike while out… <\/p>\n

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