Bobby dazzles in award line up after surviving near-death wasp attack

A Sunderland spaniel who bounced back to health after a nightmare attack by a swarm of wasps is in the running for a national award.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Jul 2016, 12:06 BST
Updated 21st Jul 2016, 13:09 BST
Bobby the spaniel nearly died after he was attacked by wasps.Bobby the spaniel nearly died after he was attacked by wasps.
Bobby the spaniel nearly died after he was attacked by wasps.

Ten-year-old Bobby has been nominated for vet charity PDSA’s annual Pet Survivor Awards after suffering the horrifying attack near Derwentwater in the Lake District with his owners.

His distraught owners watched in horror as his face became covered by wasps and he had to be carried into the lake to escape them.

Vet Emma Holt checks out Bobby.Vet Emma Holt checks out Bobby.
Vet Emma Holt checks out Bobby.
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The multiple stings triggered a deadly immune reaction, which left him fighting for his life.

But after emergency treatment at a PDSA Pet Hospital, brave Bobby defied the odds and made a full recovery.

Bobby was on a walk while on holiday with his family when his owner, Lisa Drennan, looked back and saw his face covered in wasps.

Lisa said: “We tried to get the wasps off him but couldn’t, eventually my partner Dave picked him up and ran into the lake. We removed about 20 stings afterwards, then took him straight to PDSA.
“He was being sick and couldn’t stand up, I thought we were going to lose him.”

Vet Emma Holt checks out Bobby.Vet Emma Holt checks out Bobby.
Vet Emma Holt checks out Bobby.
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PDSA vet Emma Holt said: “Tests revealed he was suffering from a deadly immune reaction as a result of the multiple stings.
“His immune system attacked the red blood cells and would have been fatal without treatment.

“Bobby was at death’s door, but thankfully he responded well to treatment, and amazed everyone by making a full recovery.”

The pet is now among the first entrants for PDSA’s Pet Survivor Awards, which are now open for entries and celebrate pets who survive serious injury or illness against the odds.

Last year’s winner was miracle dog Ziggy, who survived after being shot through his head by a crossbow.

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PDSA vet and award judge, Rebecca Ashman, said: “Every week, dedicated vet teams save lives and help to get our beloved pets back on their paws after serious injury and illness.

“The PDSA Pet Survivor Awards recognise those extraordinary stories which capture a pet’s fighting spirit, their owner’s dedication and the expertise and skills of the vet professionals.

“The stories we hear never fail to amaze us, and we’re looking forward to hearing about many more miracle pets.”

The awards are open to any pet treated by a vet in the UK for a life-threatening illness or injury between August 1, 2015, and August 1, 2016.

Pet owners wishing to nominate them online at www.pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor.

The closing date is midnight on Sunday, September 25.

Related topics:SunderlandDave