Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Elderly dog finds new home after losing 24 teeth
graham
"He's such a happy little dog now we've got him home and we're totally in love with him".

Newlyweds adopt 12-year-old dog instead of going on their honeymoon

A newly-married couple have chosen to adopt an elderly dog instead of going on their honeymoon. Twelve-year-old mutt Graham was so neglected he had to have 24 teeth removed, but his life has since been turned around.

After he was found dodging traffic on a busy main road in Essex, Graham was taken to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where vet Steve Gosling quickly fell for his sweet and gentle nature.

Steve said he was appalled by the skinny dog's condition. As well as the worst case of tooth decay Steve had ever seen, Graham was suffering from a skin condition that caused most of his fur to fall out. He also has a heart murmur.

Under sedation, Steve removed 24 of Graham's rotten teeth, leaving him with only 11.

Despite his health problems and advanced age, newlyweds Stephanie and Luke Chadwick from Putney decided to adopt him after seeing him on Battersea's website.

Stephanie said: "We'd just got married and instead of going on honeymoon we decided to go to Battersea and get a dog. Graham's age and his health problems meant he wouldn't be the first dog most people might choose, but we thought it would be nice if we could give him his retirement home.

"He's such a happy little dog now we've got him home and we're totally in love with him".

Steve said Stephanie and Luke are the perfect owners for Graham. He said: "Graham is an elderly gentleman with a host of health problems, and sometimes it's not easy to rehome an unwell dog…

"I'm so pleased [Stephanie and Luke] came to meet him - but if they hadn't, Graham would have been coming home with me".

Image courtesy of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com