Merseyside police dogs gift life to injured canines.

Rusty is a registered Search and Rescue dog in the Dartmoor and Exmoor team.

Unfortunately he suffered a fracture discolation of his hock following an RTA.He is one of the increasing number of pet dogs in the UK to benefit from a partial fusion using donor bone as part of his surgery.
It involved stripping the small joints of cartilage and putting a plate and screws in to align the bones , which were then encouraged to fuse with the introduction of demineralised bone matrix.Rusty has a new lease of life ,thanks to the generous donation from a donor dog , like those that come from Merseyside Police Dog Section.

Inspector Matthew Boyle, Head of the Merseyside Police Dog Section, said

'' Our officers enjoy a very close bond with their dogs and place great emphasis on the quality of life
that these dogs experience.The entire section is behind us on this initiative, understanding that their dog will go on to give life to a canine patient in need.''

All of the police dogs are signed up as potential donors and the Force's dogs carry donor cards and in the event of the demise of anyone of the dogs, the Veterinary Tissue Bank -Britain's first tissue bank for pets- will be provided with soft tissue and bone from the donor to provide grafts giving life saving surgery to other injured pets.
The VT Bank supplies veterinary surgeons throughout Europe and the UK for allograft surgery.

Dr Peter Myint, said '' We hope owners will find comfort at their time of bereavement from the knowledge that they are able to help another pet in need through their gift of tissue donation .''

Pet owners are being encouraged to register their dogs as donors .
For more information of becoming a donor contact VTB on 01691-778769 or visit the website
www.vtbank.org

This is a great story.

May we cross-post please?

Of course . As much support as possible is needed. Thanks .