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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 6th May 2010
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
Well, I’ll be Darned!
Marley the cat.
A curious cat had a lucky escape when she accidentally pounced on a two and a half inch darning needle. 

Seven-month-old kitten, Marley, was taken to The Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria when her concerned owners noticed she was coughing and felt something protruding from under the skin in her neck.

Blue Cross veterinary staff carried out x-rays to pin point the problem and were amazed to discover the long needle, which had pierced through the roof of the kitten’s mouth right through the back of her neck, narrowly missing her jugular vein and windpipe. Staff quickly operated to carefully pull out the needle under anaesthetic and Marley has now made a full recovery.

An x-ray showing the location of the needle.
Blue Cross vet, Julia Smith, who carried out the operation, said: “You can see on the x-ray that the needle had travelled right through the neck muscle, so she must have pounced on the needle with some force. The needle was close to her spine so she’s very lucky to have escaped without any permanent damage."

Marley’s owner, Thomas Ward, said: “We were very surprised to see how big the needle was and we have no idea where she got it from. We’re so pleased that she’s doing fine now and she's back to her cheeky self."

Julia added: “Occasionally we see cases where cats have swallowed thread attached to needles, but not where a kitten has impaled itself with such a large needle in this way. Kittens can easily get themselves into mischief because they are naturally inquisitive and love to pounce on objects, so it’s always worth scouring your home to check for any hazards."

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

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.