Looking good – Libby after her successful surgery at Linnaeus-owned Kentdale Referrals in Cumbria, with new foster carer Siy Kell, who’s giving her a new home.
Lucky Libby Gets New Lease Of Life Courtesy Of Kentdale
1 year ago 
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A rescue puppy is enjoying a new lease of life after vets at one of the UK’s leading small animal hospitals saved her from being put to sleep.
Libby, an unwanted eight-month-old bulldog, was born with a large cleft palate and had been booked in to be euthanised before being given a second chance at life after Rochdale Dog Rescue (RDR) intervened.
After taking in Libby, the team at RDR contacted Linnaeus-owned Kentdale Referrals in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, where expert vets Jan Beranek, a European specialist in small animal surgery, and Joe Higgins, ECVS resident in small animal surgery, gave her a fresh start.
Toby Gemmill, Kentdale managing director and an RCVS and European specialist in small animal surgery, explained: “Libby had been born with a congenital defect in the hard and soft palate.
“There was a complete cleft from just behind the incisors to the end of the soft palate.
“It required a two-hour operation to repair the defect with the soft palate closed by incising the mucosa (inner lining) and apposing the soft tissue on the midline using two layers of suture.
“Libby came through the procedure successfully and has responded superbly. She is doing really well now and is finally able to eat and drink normally.
“She’s a bright, energetic pup and we’re very optimistic she won't need any further surgery.”
The successful operation has certainly transformed Libby’s life. She is currently back at the RDR and is preparing to move to a new home soon.
RDR manager Coryn Shields said: “Libby was definitely on borrowed time and had sadly been booked in to be put to sleep.
“We intervened and agreed to take her on and we’re so thankful to Joe and Jan at Kentdale.
“We were very concerned about Libby but they put us at ease and we were so pleased they were optimistic about being able to fix her problem.
“They were great with her and treated her wonderfully well. We would definitely recommend them.
“The best news of all is that we’ve now found her a new home. She’s currently being fostered by Siy and Emma Kell, and they will be adopting her full time when she is fully discharged by Kentdale.”
Kentdale Referrals is a specialist-led hospital offering expert services in diagnostic imaging, arthroscopy, anaesthesia, orthopaedic surgery, spinal surgery, soft tissue surgery and physiotherapy.
For more information on Kentdale Referrals, visit www.kentdalevets.co.uk or search for Kentdale Referrals on social media.
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