Vets Now Ambulance in 400 mile dash to save dog's life following snake bite
Vets Now, the leading Out of Hours emergency vets with 32 clinics across the UK and a newly launched Vets Now Ambulance service, worked against the odds to save the life of a Colchester dog after it was bitten by a snake yesterday.
Tess, a one year old Springer Spaniel was bitten on the muzzle by an adder as she was running through marsh grass whilst out for a walk with her owners on Sunday afternoon. Her owners, Mr and Mrs Jacobs of Peldon in Colchester phoned the Vets Now clinic to describe what had happened and were advised to bring her to the clinic immediately for treatment.
When Tess arrived at the clinic, she was completely collapsed with a high heart rate, her face and neck were badly swollen and she had two fang marks on the side of her nose
Although snake bites are relatively common in the South East area of the country, there is currently a shortage of anti-venom for both veterinary and human emergency centres and with no anti-venom in stock, the Colchester Vets Now clinic was presented with a huge challenge in trying to source a vial of the substance in order to save the dog's life.
Strangely, the clinic had seen a similar case only a few weeks ago and had managed to get one of the last vials from Guys and St Thomas Hospital, which houses the Veterinary Poison Information Service used by vets; however, this time, the hospital had none left. With Tess' condition worsening, the team frantically phoned around all Vets Now clinics within the South East area, in addition to the regular supplier of veterinary medicines to the clinics, but were unable to source any anti-venom. The team also tried Colchester A & E department, however, due to the shortage, they have to keep what stock they have for any human cases.
As a last resort, the clinic phoned the Vets Now clinic in Stoke who they had heard may have some anti-venom in stock, being at the edge of the Peak District where snake bites are more common and as luck had it, the clinic had one last vial left.
Tess' concerned owners were given three options by the clinic; the clinic team could treat Tess without anti-venom but because of Tess' poorly condition, this would run the risk of possible liver problems in the future; the owners could travel up north and collect the vial or the Vets Now Ambulance could head north and collect it, costing approximately £300. The owner's response was to ask the team that they do whatever they could to save her.
The Vets Now Ambulance set off immediately, travelling through torrential rain and thunder storms, road works and accidents to collect the anti-venom with a quick turnaround to head straight back to the clinic with the precious delivery. At 9.30 last night, the ambulance arrived back and the team began the anti-venom treatment on Tess.
Talking about the case, Albert Schuan, the vet on duty and Vets Now in Colchester said; "Tess' case really highlights the problem we, and the medical profession have due to the anti-venom shortage. From what I understand, scarcity and cost has resulted in an anti-venom shortage worldwide and if the Vets Now Ambulance service had not been available in the area, I'm not sure how we would have managed to get the lifesaving anti-venom. The ambulance arrived back just in the nick of time and the anti-venom was administered immediately. Tess is being monitored by her daytime vet and we will continue to care for her and monitor her condition tonight."
Owner, Mrs Jacobs of Peldon in Colchester commented; "The Vets Now service has been absolutely amazing - all of the team have been so helpful and the treatment Tess has received has been wonderful. Without having access to an emergency service like this, Tess may not have been so lucky. We have our fingers crossed that her condition will continue to improve over the next few days which I understand are critical."