The RVC

The Royal Veterinary College was founded in 1791 by William Penn’s grandson.

In the 18th century Camden was outside London. The founders wanted it to be close to London but far enough away for the students not to be tempted by the fleshpots. My mother thought Durham was a satisfactory distance when I went there to study. Since then the RVC has got a second campus near Potters Bar, about twenty miles north of London. It is the oldest and largest veterinary school in Britain with a Royal Charter from George IV.  Bertie was admitted as an in-patent yesterday.

Bertie had a check-up on New Year’s Eve and was doing really well. So well that when he started going downhill on New Year’s Day the vet refused to see him. He was having trouble walking and was very stressed. He stands and pants when he gets stressed. By early afternoon his rear legs were paralysed. We took him to a different vet at 4.00 pm. The vet said it was most unusual and perhaps he had a slipped disc; unusual for a young, fit dog. He made an appointment for us at the RVC and we were there at 6.00 pm. Two veterinary nurses met us and trolleyed Bertie inside. At 7.00 pm he had an MRI scan. If it was a slipped disc they were ready to operate immediately but the scan showed serious internal bleeding and blood in his spinal cord, causing partial paralysis. An operation would be serious and risky so they advised leaving him and seeing how he got on. This afternoon they called to say that he was improving; able to stand up, and able to pee and poo. It has been a very worrying twenty-four hours and we hope for more good news tomorrow. His symptoms are consistent with eating rat poison but since he was bitten last Monday he has always been on a short lead and closely supervised. So we don’t know how this happened to him but are just glad that he is recovering and getting the best possible care.