In a heart-pounding turn of events, a Wiltshire mum shares the gripping story of her daughter’s dog, Riley, who underwent emergency surgery for a rare liver condition at Eastcott Veterinary Referrals in Swindon.
Gillian Burgess, from Blunsdon, took charge of Riley while her daughter, Ceri Roberts, was away in Egypt. However, a sudden collapse sent them racing to Eastcott, where the talented team worked tirelessly to save Riley’s life.
A CT scan revealed the shocking diagnosis of two liver lobe torsions, an incredibly uncommon condition, especially in dogs. Gerard Olivares, a European specialist in internal medicine at Eastcott, recognised the urgency for immediate surgery.
The news came as a devastating blow to the family. Gillian explains, “When Gerard informed us about Riley’s liver torsion, we were completely taken aback. The rarity of the condition, coupled with Riley’s age and Ceri being in Egypt, added to our worries. However, the care we received exceeded our expectations.”
The Eastcott team went above and beyond, even connecting with Ceri in Egypt to address her concerns during the initial consultation. Gillian emphasises their exceptional communication and support throughout Riley’s admission, surgery, and recovery, endorsing Eastcott Referrals to other pet owners.
Gillian, who works on the client care team at Drove Vets in Marlborough, said her professional knowledge and experience meant she was immediately alert to Riley’s initial need for urgent veterinary attention, greatly contributing to his remarkable recovery.
Reflecting on the moment she knew something was wrong, Gillian shares, “I took Riley for a walk but unusually he stayed walking very slowly behind and was not interested in anything, not even his dog treats.
“He was very lethargic, I checked his gums and they were white, so I took him straight to Drove Vets where vet Hannah McNicholas examined him.
At Drove Vets, Riley underwent blood tests and an ultrasound examination, uncovering a liver issue and the presence of bloody fluid in his abdomen. The opportunity for a referral to Eastcott was taken, leading to Riley’s successful treatment.
Thanks to the skilled intervention at Eastcott, Riley has made a remarkable recovery, returning to his lively self. Gerard describes the dramatic sequence of events, from Riley’s emergency admission to the discovery of a haemoabdomen and abdominal pain. Swift stabilisation, a CT scan, and an emergency surgery to remove the torsed liver lobes were crucial to Riley’s survival.
“Riley arrived at Eastcott as an emergency admission after collapsing at home earlier in the day,” he said.
“We knew at this point Riley had a haemoabdomen (blood in the abdomen) and abdominal pain, following the investigations at Drove Vets.
“Riley was stabilised at Eastcott with the help of our anaesthesia team and underwent a CT scan. We the assistance of our imager on duty, we diagnosed Riley with torsion of two of his liver lobes.
“This is a relatively uncommon and life-threatening disease in dogs but, when diagnosed early, can carry a very good prognosis.
“He was taken straight to theatre for an emergency surgery, where the torsed liver lobes were removed by our surgeons.
Despite his age, Riley defied the odds and recuperated rapidly, spending 48 hours in the Intensive Care Unit before being discharged. A follow-up examination two weeks later revealed a smooth healing process, and Riley’s owners reported his swift return to his usual self.
This heartwarming tale showcases the dedication and expertise of the veterinary professionals at Eastcott Veterinary Referrals, who saved Riley’s life and provided outstanding care during this international ordeal.
For more information about Eastcott Referrals visit www.eastcottreferrals.co.uk or search for Eastcott Veterinary Referrals on social media.
