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Starving, trafficked and losing hope

24 tiny cockapoo and cavapoo puppies had the worst start to life.

Alerted to cries coming from a lorry at Cairnryan Ferry Port one freezing night, Scottish SPCA got there just in time. We found them trembling and crammed into cardboard boxes under a lorry, clinging on to life.

But thanks to thorough health checks, treatment, rehabilitation, one life-saving heart operation and one prosecution, all 24 puppies are now settled into their forever homes with loving families.

A life on the line

One of the puppies, Piper, was undergoing her first health check by the Scottish SPCA team when vets detected a loud heart murmur. Without treatment, most puppies with this symptom die from heart failure within one year – she required a specialist operation urgently before any permanent damage had been done to her heart.

Piper was referred to one of the few centres in Scotland, CrumPets, who could perform a further scan and surgery. A surgery like this is only carried out on puppies 3-5 times a year and Dr Chris Parratt at CrumPets generously performed it free of charge, as well as offering free aftercare at his partner practice, Emergency Vets Glasgow.

Follow-up examinations and an ultrasound scan revealed that the operation was a complete success.

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CrumPets saved the day

“It has been several months since Piper’s operation, and we are overjoyed to hear that she is thriving.

Her resilience and the exceptional teamwork between CrumPets Vet Clinical Support and Emergency Vets Glasgow have made it possible for her to enjoy a normal, healthy life.

We are deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to make such a significant impact on her life. Her journey is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose and dedication to animal welfare.

Thank you to the Scottish SPCA for rescuing Piper and for entrusting us with her care. We look forward to seeing Piper flourish and live her life to the fullest.”

Dr Chris Parratt MRCVS, CrumPets Vet Clinical Support & Emergency Vets Glasgow.

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Now living her best life

Six months on from her live saving operation, Piper was rehomed and renamed Skye.

Jemma and Ryan from Linlithgow fell in love with her and she has made a great companion for their three sons – Finlay, Lochlan and Brodie.

Skye’s day is filled with plenty of cuddles, walks, trips to the beach and the occasional stop at a café for a doggy ice cream. The boys love teaching her new tricks and she has regular play dates with her new four-legged friends.

We’re thrilled to hear that when Jemma took Skye for a check-up at their vets, they said that she was in full health and her heart was functioning fine.

We can’t rescue without donations

As Scotland’s only all-animal emergency service, we’re here 365 days a year when animals desperately look to us in their time of need. Stories like Skye’s unfortunately happen more often that you’d think.

For every happy ending, the next story is only beginning…