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Charity funds ex-police dog’s emergency surgery
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation covered Fiji's veterinary fees.
Fiji needed her spleen removed after becoming seriously ill.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation has funded the life-saving surgery of an ex-police dog.

Fiji, a twelve-year-old Belgian malinois, required emergency surgery after her owner and former handler Claire Bird discovered that she was unwell.

She first became concerned for Fiji when she started vomiting after eating leftover roast lamb. She checked up on her, and was alarmed to find that Fiji’s stomach was getting bigger.

Fiji was rushed to the veterinary practice, which performed an X-ray and rushed her into emergency surgery.

“Vets said if I didn’t hear from them then it would be good news so when they rang me half an hour into the surgery to say she’d need her spleen removed too I was terrified, but thankfully she pulled through,”  Ms Bird said.

After an overnight stay, Fiji was given the all-clear to return home.

Before her retirement, Fiji served as a general police dog for Surrey and Sussex Joint Dog Unit. She first joined the police force aged just four months, after her owner died by suicide.

She saved lives during her career, including that of a high-risk missing person. Fiji’s sense of smell and police training meant that she was able to find the man while he was still alive.

Her career came to an end after she pulled a ligament while jumping for a toy.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity supporting and rehabilitating retired police dogs, has funded much of Fiji’s medical care since her retirement. This has included treatment for her itchy skin and for her pyometra in 2023.

Most recently, the charity covered the £4,300 bill for for Fiji’s emergency stomach surgery.

Kieran Stanbridge, chairman of The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, said: “Fiji has needed almost £10,000 in support over the years, for emergency surgery and for regular medication to help with an ongoing condition and ensure she has the best quality of life in her retirement.  

“This is why we founded the charity; to be there for these heroic dogs in their hours of need. I’m proud that we’ve been able to be there and play a part in saving Fiji’s life so she can continue to enjoy her retirement with her loving family.”

Image © The Thin Blue Paw Foundation

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.