3 year old Cookie was rushed to the surgery by a member of the public after she was found doing what she did best : running.

Unfortunately, this time she had run onto a road, into a car, and out of luck.

It didn’t take long to diagnose a fracture from the way her left front leg was dangling abnormally.

Cookie’s owner was quickly found using her microchip details, but it soon became clear that there were no available funds to repair the leg, or even amputate. Cookie’s future looked grim as the only way to alleviate her suffering appeared to be euthanasia.

This is where the practice stepped in. A quick team meeting made it clear that everyone wanted Cookie to live, and between the owner and the staff we agreed to adopt her, and fund the fracture repair.

The adoption papers were duly signed. Cookie was renamed Amber, who now became the practice’s responsibility.

A hectic few days followed, with 24-hour hospitalisation including nightly checks by our staff who all pulled together to volunteer to care for Amber leading up to her surgery.

So as not to interfere with our responsibilities to our other patients, at 5.30 am this morning, a team of Vets and Nurses arrived at the practice to perform the surgery that would save Amber’s leg and her life.

She is recovering well, having gained some weight on the account of some stainless steel implants in her leg. She will be fostered by our staff until we hand her over to a rehoming centre who will work with us in finding a loving forever home for her.

 

We wanted to share Amber’s story to show that there is a different side to the bad press the veterinary profession has recently received.

The reason people work in the veterinary industry is primarily to improve the quality of the lives of animals, and work with pets’ owners who want the same.

This contract of care is what drives us at Green Vets. It gives us purpose and job satisfaction.

Granted, veterinary care can be expensive, but this is due to the quality of care we provide, not because of unhealthy profits. We always recommend pet insurance to help with unexpected costs. Still, it is hard for us that occasionally the only treatment owners can afford is euthanasia. Sometimes this gets too much for us and we step in to take the financial hit. The fact that Amber is alive and well is proof of that.

 

**Update** the member of the public who rushed Amber in after her road traffic accident has made a donation towards the cost of her surgery. We are very grateful for their generosity.