Dog’s toe is amputated after paddle in the Avon
A family has been left “in shock” after their pet was seriously injured at a beauty spot near Bath.
Cali, an American bulldog cross, was paddling in the River Avon near Barton Farm when she sliced open her paw on a sharp object.
A visit to the vets revealed the cut had badly damaged her foot and that her dewclaw and toe would have to be amputated.
Sophie Williets was originally minding Cali for a friend when her office hours changed, but took her on permanently two months ago.
The 28-year-old said: “We’re just a bit in shock really. We had just gone for our usual walk at Barton Farm and Cali was playing in the water.
“Lots of people go paddleboarding there and our daughter and some other children were dipping their hands in the water off the pier.
“When we were ready to go, Cali came out and she wasn’t crying or anything, but a little boy said, ‘Excuse me, your dog’s bleeding.’
“There was quite a bit of blood on the ground. So we took her up the steps, but there was so much blood we couldn’t see anything.”
Other visitors to the popular spot in Bradford-on-avon were quick to help, with one offering up her towel to bandage Cali’s foot.
“This man gave me a lift back to my house so I could get more towels and tape, then I picked up my partner, daughter and Cali and we went straight to the vet.
“They said it was quite badly cut and that she would need to come in for surgery to have it stitched up the following morning.
“So they bandaged it up and sent us home. But as soon as we got back to the house, it started bleeding again and we had to go back to have it re-dressed,” Sophie explained.
The following day, Cali went in for surgery and the vets rang Sophie to say the cut was much deeper than they first thought.
“It had caused a lot of damage to her toe when it sliced through everything, which is why she couldn’t feel it afterwards.
“The vets had to take off where her dewclaw was, the pad, and her toe. Luckily they’ve left her weightbearing toes, so she can still walk,” Sophie said.
Cali must have her dressing changed every three days and is expected to make a recovery within three weeks.
Although it may take some to get used to, the adventurous pet is already “walking around the house” on her streamlined paw.
“We just want to warn others because there are so many people who go in there paddling,” Sophie said.