Post by Brooke on Jul 29, 2004 22:38:42 GMT -5
Last Updated: Wednesday, 28 July, 2004, 12:46 GMT 13:46 UK
Dog resists lion's dose of drugs
Koutei has always disliked going to the vet
A big game marksman had to be called in to knock out a pet dog after he refused to be examined by a vet.
The saga started when Lorraine Stokes tried to get 10-year-old Koutei into her car for his appointment.
She called the vet out to her home in Worcestershire after the 12 stone dog became increasingly reluctant.
But a nearby safari park's gun expert finally had to bring down the 12 stone dog, using twice the dose of drugs needed to sedate lions.
Mrs Stokes, 45, from Kidderminster said the vet wanted to take blood samples to try and cure the Akita dog's skin complaint.
"He gets quite fierce and I think because the vet had to come out to our home he was being protective," Mrs Stokes said.
He is a beautiful animal, he just doesn't like vets
Lorraine Stokes, owner
"He is a beautiful animal, he just doesn't like vets.
"I was concerned, he is my pet and I love him to bits. The vet had already given him five tablets which should have sedated him enough to get the muzzle on."
Koutei remained reluctant to give in and Bob Lawrence, head warden from West Midlands Safari Park, in Bewdley, arrived with a gas-powered dart rifle.
Mrs Stokes said "amazingly" the dog managed to resist the first dose of drugs.
"After the first dart he just sat there as if nothing had happened, then he ran round the back and chased the marksman, who ran for his life," Mrs Stokes said.
"With his second dart he got him in the side of the ribs and he yelped but was still walking around, then he came inside and started going to sleep .
"He was absolutely exhausted, he had been fighting the drugs so much he slept on and off for three days."
Mr Lawrence said: "The vet called me to look at the dog after they had been outside for a couple of hours and couldn't get in to approach him.
"It was double the dose I'd normally give a lion and I found out afterwards he had already been given sedatives.
'Almost human'
"It was the first time I've given a double dose and it was slightly disconcerting but there was a vet there and if I didn't put him out they wouldn't have been able to do anything at all."
Mrs Stokes said Koutei - which is Japanese for emperor - had always disliked trips to the vet.
"From when he was quite young we have been going for regular check ups at the vets," she said.
"As he has got older he has become more and more reluctant and doesn't want to go.
"I usually get him to the vets and they try and sedate him in the car to get the muzzle on him.
"Last time he needed enough injections to knock out a small horse.
"He is almost human, he is fine with the family, it is strangers he doesn't like."
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/3933331.stm
Dog resists lion's dose of drugs
Koutei has always disliked going to the vet
A big game marksman had to be called in to knock out a pet dog after he refused to be examined by a vet.
The saga started when Lorraine Stokes tried to get 10-year-old Koutei into her car for his appointment.
She called the vet out to her home in Worcestershire after the 12 stone dog became increasingly reluctant.
But a nearby safari park's gun expert finally had to bring down the 12 stone dog, using twice the dose of drugs needed to sedate lions.
Mrs Stokes, 45, from Kidderminster said the vet wanted to take blood samples to try and cure the Akita dog's skin complaint.
"He gets quite fierce and I think because the vet had to come out to our home he was being protective," Mrs Stokes said.
He is a beautiful animal, he just doesn't like vets
Lorraine Stokes, owner
"He is a beautiful animal, he just doesn't like vets.
"I was concerned, he is my pet and I love him to bits. The vet had already given him five tablets which should have sedated him enough to get the muzzle on."
Koutei remained reluctant to give in and Bob Lawrence, head warden from West Midlands Safari Park, in Bewdley, arrived with a gas-powered dart rifle.
Mrs Stokes said "amazingly" the dog managed to resist the first dose of drugs.
"After the first dart he just sat there as if nothing had happened, then he ran round the back and chased the marksman, who ran for his life," Mrs Stokes said.
"With his second dart he got him in the side of the ribs and he yelped but was still walking around, then he came inside and started going to sleep .
"He was absolutely exhausted, he had been fighting the drugs so much he slept on and off for three days."
Mr Lawrence said: "The vet called me to look at the dog after they had been outside for a couple of hours and couldn't get in to approach him.
"It was double the dose I'd normally give a lion and I found out afterwards he had already been given sedatives.
'Almost human'
"It was the first time I've given a double dose and it was slightly disconcerting but there was a vet there and if I didn't put him out they wouldn't have been able to do anything at all."
Mrs Stokes said Koutei - which is Japanese for emperor - had always disliked trips to the vet.
"From when he was quite young we have been going for regular check ups at the vets," she said.
"As he has got older he has become more and more reluctant and doesn't want to go.
"I usually get him to the vets and they try and sedate him in the car to get the muzzle on him.
"Last time he needed enough injections to knock out a small horse.
"He is almost human, he is fine with the family, it is strangers he doesn't like."
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/3933331.stm