An Isle of Wight dog — lucky to be alive following a incident with another dog — is the inspiration behind a RSPCA Christmas appeal.
Six-month-old Maya has undergone an emergency amputation, suffered a ruptured artery and undergone four blood transfusions as she fights her way back to health.
It follows an accidental collision with another dog while out playing.
The cost of the treatment is estimated to top £12,000, and the Isle of Wight RSPCA branch says it has put a great strain on the finances.
The Maya Christmas Campaign will seek donations to help the Island branch continue to provide emergency medical treatment to sick or injured animals.
Suzanne Pugh, IW RSPCA branch manager, said:
“We work so hard to give animals a second chance and with Maya we had to make life saving decisions four times over.
“She arrived in our care requiring urgent medical support – and what followed were repeated life-threatening situations with many dramatic twists.
"We have given it our all - as we do for all animals in our care – to give Maya the very best chance in life.
“As we are seeing with Maya, not only is there an emotional cost to those of us involved, there is also a significant financial cost which can run into many thousands of pounds. We rely on donations to maintain our services and save lives and our fantastic supporters perform wonders to allow us to keep providing these emergency medical treatments.
“Your kindness really does save lives.”
The sum spent on Maya’s treatment is the largest ever spent by the Island’s RSPCA branch on a medical emergency for an animal in its care.
After being admitted with a bad break to her right rear leg, surgical teams at Carisbrooke and orthopaedic specialists at Anderson Moores Veterinary referral centre in Winchester initially discussed an operation to mend the fracture. But after further consultations the break was found to be so severe and unusual an amputation was deemed the best option.
After needing a first blood transfusion post surgery Suzanne asked the specialist Anderson Moores veterinary practice in Winchester if anyone would be available to foster her through her recovery.
Several staff volunteered including a member of the clinical team and when she was ready, RSPCA staff transported Maya across the Solent to her foster family.
It soon became apparent that the decision to place Maya in specialist care saved her life as complications were quickly spotted and she was swiftly taken back to the emergency room.
Suzanne said:
“On several occasions it was very serious – there were a few very dramatic ‘touch and go’ days in the ER suite.
“Maya experienced life-threatening complications on multiple occasions. The team would stabilize her, we would all take a breath and then when all seemed like she was on the mend, she’d suffer another significant event.”
“In total she underwent four emergency blood transfusions and a second amputation procedure.
"The prognosis was very poor time and again yet the skills of the clinical teams saved her life.
“After some sleepless nights and specialist round-the-clock care, she is thankfully now out of intensive care and making a steady recovery back with her foster carer. Maya will be on strict cage rest for several weeks and then her rehabilitation to life on three legs will begin.”
Given her story has unfolded as holiday season is approaching, the RSPCA decided to base a Christmas campaign around her.
Suzanne said:
"We hope Maya’s story helps draw attention to the services we provide, the cost of doing so and also the steps we take to do the very best by animals in our care.
“We really do appreciate – and are so thankful for - the vital support we get from Islanders. Never underestimate the value of your donations. New and returning donors amaze us all by continuing to dig deep in hard times to show their support for us and our work.”
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