Aussie pet owner learns 'expensive lesson' after common mistake leaves his dog on life support
Jim, from Sydney, almost lost his dog Lenny after he was hit by a car He slipped out of his collar while on a walk READ MORE: Pet owner 'bluffs' vet into slashing her dog's surgery bill by $5,000
An Australian pet owner has issued a stern warning to other animal lovers after a small mistake landed his dog in hospital on life support.
Jim's four-year-old Irish Terrier Lenny slipped out of his collar and was hit by a car leaving him with cracked ribs and life-threatening internal bleeding.
He said the 'frightening' ordeal was an 'expensive' lesson in making sure to always be in control of your pet and will invest in a harness to walk Lenny from now on.
Jim, from Sydney, was walking Lenny around the block one morning when he spotted a cat and managed to get out of his collar to chase it.
He was trying to catch the pooch who was running back and forth across the road before he 'bolted' into the side of a moving car.
Jim's four-year-old Irish Terrier Lenny slipped out of his collar and was hit by a car leaving him with cracked ribs and life-threatening internal bleeding (stock image)
Lenny seemed fine at first and was able to walk home but Jim took him to the vet when he noticed he wouldn't calm and was panting.
The vets were shocked to find Lenny's lungs were full of blood and he was rushed to SASH trauma centre.
Specialists discovered Lenny had cracked ribs, was badly bruised and he was bleeding into his stomach.
He was put on life support immediately and Jim feared he might lose his furry friend.
Lenny stayed on life support for three days and thankfully was able to return home after a week in hospital.
Jim said the 'frightening' ordeal was an 'expensive' lesson in making sure to always be in control of you pet and will invest in a harness to walk Lenny from now on (stock image)
Jim stayed tight-lipped on how much Lenny's treatment cost but said he now never walks Lenny without a secure harness.
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SASH Emergency and Critical Care Specialist Dr Iain Keir said pet owners should immediately take their animals to the vet if they are involved in a car accident.
'Lenny's injuries didn't seem that bad at first. The major issue was internal bleeding which became apparent within a few minutes of arrival,' he told Yahoo News.
Dr Iain said stories like Lenny's are not uncommon with the hospital seeing up to five patients who have had run-in with cars each week.
'My strong recommendation for all pet owners if they are in this unfortunate position, is to seek vet care as quickly as possible to make sure those injuries aren't life-threatening. What we know with trauma, the sooner we can instigate treatment for injuries the better the outcome,' he said.