An ‘accident prone’ Oxfordshire pooch called Rusty has been saved by urgent vet care after he was impaled on a nine-inch spike.  

Eight-year-old Rusty is described as having a track record in causing chaos and is no stranger to Linnaeus-owned Boundary Vets in Abingdon, having been treated on a number of occasions to remove foreign objects he’d eaten. 

On this occasion, however, the Oxfordshire dog could have faced a life-threatening condition after the pug-Jack Russell crossbreed ran onto a rusty spike while out with his dog walker. 

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The dog walker immediately rushed Rusty to the facility where Boundary vet Elizabeth Couper took charge of the dramatic case. 

Dr Couper discovered the spike had penetrated three-and-a-half inches into Rusty’s chest, although thankfully missed his vital organs.

Dr Couper said: “Rusty’s dog walker brought him in and said they’d just heard a yelp and then saw him holding his leg out to the side in an unusual position."

“A closer inspection revealed Rusty had run onto a long spike and, although it had come out on its own, the dog walker had still brought it along, which was very helpful.

“It was a very long spike and we could see from the blood covered end just how far it had penetrated." 

Rusty needs help Rusty needs help (Image: Boundary Vets)

Dr Couper said, despite his normal breathing, there was a "visible puncture wound" to Rusty's chest. 

While the wound was not actively bleeding Dr Couper decided to investigate further while Rusty was under general anaesthetic.

She said: “The puncture wound was clearly visible through the muscle layers and as I examined the surrounding tissue I could see a small dent which I suspected was where the end of the spike had reached.

“Fortunately, there was no further injuries although some metal flakes were visible." 

Rusty made a speedy recovery over the following days thanks to the Abingdon team's care. 

Accident-prone Rusty Accident-prone Rusty (Image: Boundary Vets) Relieved owners Simon and Lyndsay Wilkinson, from Wootton, said they were stunned and concerned when they heard about the family pet’s accident.  

Simon said: “It was all a bit of a shock."

"Our dog walker David rang to say Rusty had impaled himself on a rusty spike, which is quite ironic considering his name.

“It was all very dramatic as the spike had gone in through his chest.

"Luckily, though, it had missed all of Rusty’s vital organs and arteries, although he had suffered a nasty, deep flesh wound."

The family said the cheeky pup is now thankfully back to his normal self. 

Lydsay said the dog had a history of being "very accident prone" but this time she had been very worried about him. 

The family said they knew he'd be in safe hands though, having taken Rusty to Boundary Vets when he'd previously scavenged and eaten something he shouldn't have.