Page 14 - BTRF Spring 2026 Newsletter
P. 14

Helping Little Mo prepare for her big surgery                                                           Planning your holidays?                   CLICK
                                                                                                                                                           AND

        We’ve been working alongside Little Mo, a sensitive nine-year-old Bedlington Terrier                  Important update                          DONATE
        cared for by BTRF. During a routine check, a mass was found in her ear that required
        surgery; a procedure called a TECA-BO. For a dog like Little Mo, who finds handling   Pet Travel Rules to the EU         Key points for pet owners:
        and veterinary environments very difficult, this was a significant emotional challenge   (From 22 April 2026)
        that required careful preparation and a recovery plan.                                                                   EU Pet Passports will no longer be
                                                                                            The Animal and Plant Health Agency   valid  for GB residents travelling
        Before the procedure, we joined Little Mo’s guardians for a consultation with the   (APHA) has issued communication      to the EU – even if issued before
        specialist. We discussed her wellbeing and aftercare, as well as the surgery itself.  outlining  important changes  for   this date (including those from EU
        We focused on:                                                                      anyone travelling  from Great        countries or Northern Ireland).
                                                                                            Britain  (GB) to the EU with dogs,
        • Medication trials: Identifying the right drugs to support her before and after surgery.   cats, or ferrets.            Animal  Health  Certificates  (AHCs)
        • Practical skills: Helping her guardians prepare Little Mo for wearing a recovery cone   What’s changing?               will now be required for travel to
                                                                                                                                 the EU with dogs, cats, and ferrets.
        and being comfortable with facial handling.
                                                                                            From  Wednesday 22 April  2026,      No    changes    to   pet   entry
        • Prioritisation: Making sure the plan was realistic for both Little Mo and her guardians.    new EU rules will  apply  for non-  requirements into Great Britain.

        Recovery is rarely straightforward! When Little Mo managed to remove her pain-      commercial pet travel from GB to     Always check entry requirements
        relief patch on day one, her pain spiked, which meant she also didn’t want to take   the EU.                             with  your  destination  country
        her oral medication, and her ability to cope with any sort of aftercare disappeared.                                     before travelling.
        Because we were already on hand, we could work directly with the specialist to adjust
        her pain management immediately. We helped her guardians navigate those difficult
        moments and adapt the aftercare plan in real-time, ensuring Little Mo could get back   ...STOP PRESS...
        on track with as little stress as possible.
        We’re currently doing daily video                                                     Tegan’s fundraising
        check-ins to monitor her healing
        and  blinking  reflexes,  while                                                       gets a boost
        supporting  her  guardians  with
        the ongoing medication and eye                                                        Well, you know what they say, ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t
        drops.                                                                                get!’ So, we asked and we received a £2,500 donation from

        The  goal  isn’t  just  a  successful                                                 Animal Friends Pet Insurance, who donate funds to animal
        clinical outcome for the surgery.                                                     charities. With so many applicants, the chances are slim, but
        It’s about making sure the people
        looking  after  her  feel  supported                                                  our volunteer, Julia, applied and was successful.
        too.
                                                                                              Animal Friends have asked to be kept up to date with Tegan’s
        If  you’d  like  help  with  your
        dogs behaviour and  wellbeing                                                         progress. The funds will make a huge impact on the total,
        challenges reach out by emailing                                                      which we’ll share soon.
        hello@caninethinking.com
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