A 17-year-old collie cross called Barney picked arguably the best place in the world for an old dog to fall into a canal last Saturday, when it was rescued by one of the teams taking part in the kayaking stage of the Vet Charity Challenge, an event where there were at least 150 vets on hand to help.
Barney had wandered off through an unlocked gate and fallen into the canal where he was spotted by a team from Kruuse UK. They managed to haul the struggling animal onto their kayak and take him down the canal towards a waiting group of vets and nurses. From there he was taken to Drove Vets in Swindon to make a full recovery.
Andrew Groom from Kruuse said, "It was sheer luck that we happened to be paddling past at that point. The poor chap was struggling on the steep banks of the canal and kept slipping back in. He was getting very tired and at risk of drowning, and judging by his gums and heart rate, going into shock."
Karien White from Drove Vets said: "Barney was a bit hypothermic when he was brought into us with a lot of bumps and bruises. We managed to warm him up and get him cleaned and after a little while his tail started wagging and he seemed very happy and friendly."
News of Barney was posted onto a Pewsey Facebook page which helped his worried owners trace him to the vets.
The Vet Charity Challenge took place on Saturday 27th September at St Francis School, Pewsey, near Marlborough, Wiltshire. The day consisted of 50 of teams of four orienteering, cycling and kayaking as well as undertaking mental and physical tasks. The charity raised over £70,000 in its first two years, with this year expected to boost the funds even more.
Gavin Mitchell, from founding sponsors, BCF Technology, said: "We never dreamt that while trying to raise money for our partner charities, that we would end up saving the life of a pet in such a direct fashion. Had Team Kruuse not been passing at that point, the dog would almost certainly have drowned. It highlights the real commitment and passion that the vet profession feels towards helping animals. Through our event we hope to reach out to help even more animals. People can donate directly to Vet Charity Challenge by contacting us via www.vetcharitychallenge.co.uk."
Kruuse UK has announced the launch of its new Mud Fever Kits for horses.
Kruuse says the launch follows independent studies last year by Aimi Duff BVM&S, MRCVS (Scott, Mitchell & Associates, Hexham) on the use of Manuka ND dressings for the treatment of Mud Fever.
The kit contains one complete treatment for two legs (or two complete treatments for one leg) including all dressings. There is also a step-by-step guide from the "Ask the Vet" series which explains best treatment protocol, designed to help veterinary surgeons dispense the kit directly to clients with confidence.
According to the company, the benefits of using medical grade Manuka Honey in the treatment of Mud Fever include:
Andrew Groom, Managing Director of Kruuse UK Ltd said: "We are delighted with the initial response to our unique Mud Fever Kits; such additions to our range continue to enhance the Kruuse commitment to equine wound care."
Kruuse UK has announced that it will be launching its new Android telemetric ECG system at BEVA 2011.
The original Televet 100 supports transmission of ECG data to a range of approx 100m (330ft), allowing recording and displaying of real time data only within a confined lunging or riding arena. By linking this system to a mobile network via 3G Android phone and a Windows 7 based tablet PC, the new Televet system overcomes this range limitation.
The new system requires the rider/horse to carry a 3G mobile phone which transmits data over the mobile internet, allowing the veterinary surgeon to display and record real time data on any PC/laptop with internet access or mobile internet connection. This also includes GPS information collected by the phone allowing the ECG, heart rate and velocity of the horse to be displayed in parallel.
The Android Telemetric ECG system is specifically targeted towards veterinary applications in the field of sports horses where extended range is particularly useful, such as endurance riding, three day eventing and racing.
Televet software can now also be integrated in Dicom infrastructures in practice for data capture and recording.
Sarah Stokes, Kruuse Equine Territory Manager said: "the flexibility and simplicity of the system along with immediate access to ECG data of patients will be an invaluable diagnostic tool for UK vets allowing vital support for patients and owners wherever they are."
Visitors to the Kruuse stand at BEVA 2011 will also have the chance to win an Acer ICONI W500 tablet worth £500.
Kruuse UK has expanded the well-known Buster range of “elizabethan” collars with the introduction of a Buster Comfort Collar. This new design is softer and more flexible and features a soft rubber outer edge for better comfort for the animal and is kinder to its surroundings.
Kruuse says prolonged use can make the edges of strong, rigid plastic collars brittle and ragged, especially with active animals, which is why the Comfort Collar was developed to alleviate this problem in such situations. Manufactured out of environmentally-friendly 100 per cent polypropylene, these collars still feature the quick-fastening system found on the Buster Clic Collar and are fully transparent to allow the animal all-round vision. The Buster Comfort Collars are available in seven sizes ranging from 7.5 to 30cm. For further information, please contact: Andrew Groom, Country Manager, Kruuse UK Ltd. Telephone: +44 (0) 1977 681523. E-mail: andrew.groom@kruuse.com.