A family has had their own Christmas miracle after their one-year-old dog survived horrendous injuries when she was hit by a car.
Cocker-spaniel Honey, aged only one, sustained horrendous injuries after she ran off to chase birds and inadvertently ended up on a main road.
Her owner Liam Burns caught up with her, but by the time he reached her the driver of the vehicle that hit her had left leaving Honey in the road, DevonLive reports.
Fortunately Liam's van was nearby and he was able to rush her to the vets, and despite an initial prognosis not being good she staged a "miraculous" recovery from her injuries.
Honey has now been able to return home where she is getting lots of cuddles from Liam, his wife Rachel, and their town young children Alfie and Millie.
Recalling the accident, Liam said: “We were out for a walk along a public footpath when Honey clocked a couple of birds just ahead. She raced after them and veered off down a track that led to the main road. I chased after her and I remember hearing a bang but I didn’t realise what it was until I reached the road.
“Honey was just lying there lifeless like a stuffed toy. There was blood pouring out of her mouth, her tongue was hanging out, her eyes were glazed, she was smothered in blood and her pulse was very faint.
“I honestly thought it was all over but I still scooped her up off the road, ran 500 yards to my van and went straight to the local Selworthy Vets in Kingsbridge. I was very emotional when I got there.
"When I went into the consultation room I just burst into tears. I just thought there was no coming back from those injuries.”
Vet Angela Tweedie worked swiftly and successfully to stabilise Honey and referred her to Linnaeus-owned Cave Veterinary Specialists in Wellington, Somerset, who had the facilities and technology to treat her. The journey was a one hour and 20 minutes drive away but once there her road to recovery began.
Neurology specialist Tom Cardy recalled: “Honey was barely conscious and strapped to a spinal board when she arrived and showing obvious evidence of head trauma. Our clinical anaesthetist Pippa Tucker continued to stabilise Honey who then underwent a whole-body CT which confirmed head trauma, severe pulmonary contusions, rib fractures and a comminuted pelvic fracture."
Honey remained stabilised overnight with treatment to minimise the swelling on her brain and provide time for her lungs and brain to recover. A complex plating operation to repair her pelvis was a success enabling Honey to enjoy a new lease of life.
Tom said: “Honey recovered in hospital within 72 hours and went home strongly ambulatory and comfortable which was a terrific result.”
The Burns family have praised the care Honey received at both veterinary practices and have expressed their heartfelt thanks.
Liam said: “I’m not normally one for going over the top but it’s miraculous; in fact, it’s so amazing that miraculous doesn’t even cut it!”
He added: "To look at her now you wouldn’t believe it had ever happened. I can’t believe there was such an incredible turnaround in just four days."
