Pooch fights for life and limb
A dog's leg had to be amputated after its leg was caught in a snare in Assagay recently.
DIESEL, a German Shepard cross Retriever, underwent a daunting amputation after his leg was caught in a snare in Assagay and is back home and recovering well.
The 48kg dog was rushed into the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s clinic by his owners to be seen to by the vet.
“Diesel had been caught in a snare near his home in Assagay and his back left leg had been badly injured. The left hind foot was incredibly swollen, and had started turning purple in colour.
“It was still warm, which was a good sign, as this meant that blood was still being circulated to the foot,” said Lisa Gadd, PR and outreach officer at the Kloof and Highway SPCA.
Both the vet and the owner agreed on conservative therapy as there was still blood supply present in the foot. Diesel’s owner returned with him a few days later as the foot had worsened and he was immediately admitted to the clinic.
“Every attempt was made to save his leg including medical and physiotherapy treatments however it was to no avail. It was decided after great deliberation that an amputation was the only option,” said Gadd.
Dr. Maryanne Anderson performed the operation and there were no complications. Diesel recovered quickly and the vets are pleased with quick progress. “Diesel is now back at home with his family and is living a normal and happy life,” smiled Gadd.
Snares are anchored cables or wire nooses which are set to catch animals and are said to be one of the simplest traps to make as they are cheap to produce and easy to set in large numbers. According to Gadd they are a huge problem in many areas because of this.
“A snare traps an animal around the neck or the body and gradually tightens around the animal the more it tries to struggle and get free. It ultimately results in a long and painful death for an animal or a serious injury,” said Gadd.
