Fundraiser for Romsey dog found with blockage in stomach

Lizzie Horner, 47, said her world was turned upside down when her dog Teddy suddenly fell extremely ill last month.

The three-year-old miniature Labradoodle already suffers with various allergies, but when Lizzie’s daughter phoned her “in hysterics” one day after Teddy “collapsed”, she knew it was something serious.

The mum-of-two from Romsey took Teddy to emergency vets Vets Now in Bitterne where a blockage was found at his stomach opening.

“The vets told me they did not know how long the blockage had been there – weeks, days, or longer”, Lizzie said.

The unidentifiable mass was believed to be a combination of fibres, hair, and some plastic.

Teddy underwent surgery two weeks ago, with the potential for him to undergo a second procedure.

But this would prove more life-threatening.

Teddy's scar from surgery (Image: Lizzie Horner) Lizzie said: “We were told another surgery may not be very successful, so my daughters and I were besides ourselves.

“We sobbed and sobbed as we thought he was not going to make it.

“But we brought him home and that was the best thing for Teddy as he was drinking and holding water down which he couldn’t do before because of the blockage.”

Although Teddy is on the mend, Lizzie’s Petplan insurance fund is now depleted.

And with more treatments and surgeries expected for the future, she is doing all she can to ensure Teddy has a great life.

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She has paid Vets Now £892 out of her own pocket, and £1,273 to her regular vet.

More than £4,800 of Teddy's treatment was paid for by the insurance. 

Lizzie said: “With Petplan, I thought I had coverage for life as I chose the premium package.

“I thought I had between £5,000 to £6,000 left but after all his allergy treatments, I didn’t have as much as I thought, only £3,000.

“The bill started spiralling out of control for treatments at his vets in Romsey and the emergency vets.

“I’ve had to use money from my own business to pay for it and borrow money to pay my staff as a result.

“I have a car to sell but it hasn’t gone through yet.”

'He brings us together'

Teddy (Image: Lizzie Horner) She added: “Teddy is a special dog.

“It was heartbreaking to know he could potentially not get the care he needs.

“We don’t want to be in a position of setting up a fundraiser, but Teddy is a central part of the family, and he brings us together.

“We bought him initially as an anxiety dog for my autistic daughter, and he is the gentlest, kindest soul who is always by our side.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/teddy-bear-ongoing-veterinary-costs to donate to Lizzie’s fundraiser.