Ziggy

Ziggy the Shih Tzu needed emergency surgery at Manchester PDSA after his left eye ruptured, causing him great pain.

Alexia (42) welcomed little Ziggy into her family home nearly a decade ago after his original owners decided they no longer wanted him. Now ten years old, Ziggy is a much-loved family member who brings plenty of joy to his family and his two doggy siblings, Jersey and Opie.

Alexia, a carer and full-time mum, explained: “We got Ziggy out of the blue when he was just a year old. At the time, he was called Gizmo, and his previous owners didn’t want him anymore. I didn’t want him to be left without a home, so he became ours, and we called him Ziggy – his name comes from a character who was on Hollyoaks many years ago!

“Ziggy’s a chilled dog but still a character. He loves to play with his toys and chase Jersey and Opie around the garden. He can’t help but squeal with excitement, which always makes me laugh. Ziggy was meant to be part of our family; we love him very much.”

One day, Alexia contacted her local PDSA Pet Hospital for help after noticing Ziggy was in pain due to a flare-up with his left eye.

She explained: “Ziggy had been suffering from eye ulcers for a while, which we managed through regular check-ups and medication from the local private vets.

“I noticed he was very quiet and wouldn’t open his left eye. I was worried about how much his treatment would cost, so I got in touch with PDSA, and thankfully, I was eligible for low-cost vet care because I’m on a low income.”

Alexia brought Ziggy to Manchester PDSA, where the vet team took a close look at his poorly eye.

Unfortunately, the ulcer on Ziggy’s eye had worsened to the point where it had ruptured, and PDSA Vets needed to carry out emergency surgery to remove it. He was admitted that morning and had a general anaesthetic in preparation for his surgery.

Thankfully, Ziggy recovered well from his surgery and went home later that day with pain relief, antibiotics, a cone collar, and instructions for strict rest.

A PDSA Vet said: “In the right household, Shih Tzus like Ziggy can make great family pets. However, they are prone to serious and potentially expensive health conditions due to their flat face and head shape, with very prominent eyes that are at risk of trauma and ulcers.

“If you’re thinking about owning a Shih Tzu, it’s important to do your research so you know about the potential breed-related health problems (which can be expensive to treat). If you’re thinking about a Shih Tzu puppy, look for parents whose features are less exaggerated and make sure they’ve had all relevant health screenings. Look for a breeder who is a member of The Kennel Club Assured Breeders scheme and ask about the medical history of the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.”

Alexia added: “Ziggy’s doing great; he’s fully healed now and adapting well to life with one eye.

“All the PDSA staff were amazing! They’re very caring and very helpful. I really don’t know what would’ve happened if PDSA wasn’t there for us, as vet treatment for serious conditions like Ziggy’s can be costly, and I wouldn’t have been able to pay the full bill for his surgery. The cost of living crisis is affecting our lives, with rising food prices and household bills. Everything is becoming harder to manage, so a sudden vet bill would have been really stressful for us.”

Total cost of Ziggy’s treatment: £621.55

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. Through our 48 Pet Hospitals and Pet Care scheme, we save the lives of poorly pets who would otherwise be left untreated.

Every year, we helped over 388,000 pets. Without us, emergency cases like Ziggy's would be left untreated and many pets could lose their lives or be separated from families who love them.

We wouldn’t be here for cats like Ziggy without your support. Please consider donating today.

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