Curious canine Mazikine from Portsmouth needed help from charity vets after ‘helping’ out with some home DIY, eating up a pot of screws.
Four-year-old Cane Corso cross, Mazikine, got into herself into trouble after the screws were accidentally knocked off a shelf, unbeknownst to her loving owner, Lola Mai-Wellington (32).
Lola explained: “My husband and I were in the process of converting the area under our stairs into a dog kennel for Mazikine. The pot of screws was on a shelf in there and someone must have knocked it off onto the floor, without us realising. Once I noticed them, I quickly swept them up, not knowing Mazikine had already spotted them.
Mazikine resting at home following her surgery at PDSA Pet Hospital
“Later that evening, I heard Mazikine being sick. There were screws and blood in her vomit. I was so worried and immediately called PDSA and took her in.”
Lucky for Lola, Portsmouth PDSA Pet Hospital was on hand to provide urgent care.
PDSA Veterinary Surgeon, Emily Sharp, said: “When Mazikine arrived at the Pet Hospital, she had already vomited up eight screws. We immediately admitted her for a sedation and x-rays which showed she’d a further six screws – five of which were in her stomach and one was in her intestine.
Mazikine’s x-ray
“The screws could cause serious internal damage; such as tears in her stomach and intestines, so we took her to surgery straight away to remove them.”
Thankfully, the operation was a complete success and Mazikine was soon back on her paws after recovering.
PDSA Vet Surgeon Emily Sharp with screws removed from Mazikine’s stomach
Lola, who adopted Mazikine as a puppy and affectionately calls her Maz, said: “The vets rang me and told me they’d have to do a risky operation. I was really worried about Maz. I know there can be complications with these procedures.”
Fortunately for Lola, who is unable to work due to a disability, PDSA was here to help.
She said: “If we had taken Maz to a private vets, and didn’t have insurance, it would have cost too much.
“We couldn’t have afforded to pay the full cost of Maz’s treatment. I think about money constantly. We have to budget carefully and work out where money is going each month. But Maz has helped our family through so much and we’d do anything for her. Despite being named after a devilish character in the TV show Lucifer, in reality, Mazikine is a gentle giant.”
Following the surgery, Mazikine recovered well and, according to Lola, is back to being her little ‘nuisance’.
Mazikine’s treatment at PDSA came to a total of £887.71. Thankfully PDSA, were able to help keep their family together – something Lola is extremely grateful for.
She added: “I can’t sing PDSA’s praises highly enough. Every time I’ve been to PDSA, they take the time to listen and treat Mazikine as an individual. The staff are so lovely, approachable and genuinely want to help. They’re my first port of call if anything happens to my pets. I can’t fault them. If you’re considering donating, definitely do it.”
PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. Through its 48 Pet Hospitals across the UK, the charity saves the lives of poorly pets who would otherwise be left untreated.
Every year, PDSA helps over 388,000 pets. Without PDSA, emergency cases like Mazikine’s would be left untreated and many pets could lose their lives or be separated from families who love them.
In times of hardship pets like Mazikine will still fall ill or become injured and need emergency care. PDSA is appealing for donations so that the charity can continue to support owners who have nowhere else to turn by providing life-saving care to vulnerable pets. To donate, visit pdsa.org.uk.
