The £10,000 operation that saved our dog
Keyhole surgery keeps tiny Faith alive
DOTING dog owners know that keeping their pooches healthy and happy will attract the odd vet’s bill.
Being £10,000 out of pocket and driving 1,400 miles is, however, more than Donald and Elizabeth Mathieson bargained for when they welcomed Faith into their home.
The couple, from Inverness, and their 19-year- old daughter Amy did not hesitate to deplete the bank balance when the family’s six-month- old chihuahua developed a deadly illness.
They decided no cost was too high, mounting a UK-wide search from the Highlands to Hertfordshire to find a veterinary specialist willing to perform life - or-death surgery in a last- ditch attempt to save her.
Now, having survived the operation, as the tiny ‘bundle of fun’ recuperates, the lucky pup is living proof that loving humans can be a dog’s best friends.
Mr Mathieson, a coach operator, said: ‘The cost never entered
‘It was worth every penny’
our thinking. Our concern was to give Faith the best chance of surviving to enjoy a normal life. That’s been achieved.’
The bill for the keyhole surgery on Faith’s tiny body, to prevent toxins passing into the dog’s system, was £6,500.
Mr Mathieson, whose company D&E Coaches takes Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County football clubs to away games, added: ‘With the original vets’ bills, travelling to Glasgow for further consultations and the return trip to the vets’ practice near Luton, the total bill came to around £10,000.
‘It was money well spent, worth every penny.’
The family became concerned when Faith, who is now one year old, became unwell not long after they got her.
They took Faith to Crown Veterinary Practice in Inverness, where vet Alison Lawrie took blood tests and confirmed Faith was suffering from what is known as a liver shunt, which means the dog’s blood was bypassing its liver and directing toxins straight into its system.
Mr Mathieson said: ‘ The bottom line was if the situation was not rectified by surgery, Faith would not last a year.’
Miss Lawrie suggested consult- ing Glasgow University’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and the family made the 336-mile round trip. Vets there confirmed the diagnosis but said they could not carry out such a major operation on so tiny a dog.
Mr Mathieson and his wife and daughter trawled the internet, discovering Dr Carolyn Burton, a specialist in small animal and soft ti ssue surgery, at the Davies Veterinary Practice in Hertfordshire.
Dr Burton agreed to examine Faith and the family were back on the road, on the first leg of a 1,000-mile journey. Mr Mathieson said: ‘Faith wasn’t allowed to fly so we had to drive. The practice was close to the airport but the airline would only allow guide dogs.’
At the practice, Dr Burton agreed to perform the day-long operation but the family knew there were no guarantees.
Mr Mathieson said: ‘She went at 8.30am and we got the call at 4pm. The operation had been a success.’
Faith is now recovering, eating and putting on weight. Mr Mathi eson said: ‘We knew i t was going to be touch and go but everything has gone according to plan and the only sign she has had an operation is the area where they shaved her hair.’
Miss Mathieson said: ‘It was a high-risk operation but she’s a different dog. It was very worrying at the time but it’s the best thing we could have done for her.’