By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A Narre Warren family is calling its border collie cross kelpie, Zoe, a miracle dog after ingesting what they think was poison.
Single mum of two Fiona Curnow has spent more than $1000 on medication, antibiotics, tests and vet bills to save her retired security dog amid fears someone has thrown poison into her backyard.
On Wednesday 13 May, Ms Curnow noticed Zoe’s symptoms and took her to the vet.
“She became quite ill in the afternoon, her eyes were glazed over, she was lethargic- she just wasn’t herself, I raced her to the vet and they took a blood sample and she began gagging and vomiting,” Ms Curnow said.
Ms Curnow believes rat or snail bait was ingested into Zoe’s system but cannot be sure.
“I knew it was some sort of poison, but they evaporate so quickly in the system they can’t be read in a blood test,” she said.
Zoe hadn’t been outside of their home and backyard in three weeks, Ms Curnow said.
“We had no visitors, I hadn’t baited my garden, I wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardise my kids and dog – it had to have been thrown over the fence,” she said.
With a pathway running beside Ms Curnow’s home she is worried for her neighbours.
“A lot of people walk their dogs along that path, many primary school and high school kids walk through there to school, which is a concern,” she said.
After sitting with Zoe for seven nights, Mr Curnow said she is one of the lucky ones.
“I rang three animal hospitals and they all said cash up front or we won’t help you – if you’re on a tight budget or on a pension there’s just no help for you and your pet in this situation,” she said.
“Hallam emergency clinic told me they would put her down if I brought her in because she was so sick,” Ms Curnow said.
Ms Curnow posted the incident on Facebook on Friday 15 May and has received a huge response from locals.
“I am hearing some horror stories on the page but the support Zoe and I have got through Facebook has been wonderful, they have given me the strength to keep going on the road I’ve been going with her,” she said.
Zoe is currently on the mend and will have to undergo tests on her pancreas.
“It’s always going to be a chunk of worry after having this happen and her immune system is still a bit low, I am checking my backyard every time I take her out.”
“Before she was just my dog but now she is my miracle,” Ms Curnow said.
