Fundraising campaign launched for much-loved Banbury dog, who is fighting for his life

Fourteen-month-old Copper needs your help.

He is a much-loved Saluki X rescue dog, who has been a live-saver for Banbury resident Cassie Fisher helping her through the lockdowns of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Cassie said: "We rescued Copper at four months old. He has had such a massive impact on our lives.

"Becoming a mum for the first time during a global pandemic hasn't been easy. I truly believe without him I would of become depressed. Throughout the lockdowns he gave me a reason to get up and out the door each day. He's been by my side through it all."

Now Copper is in a local vets fighting for his life after contracting tetanus. Cassie is hopeful Copper will make a full recovery in time, but the cost of his medical care is now nearing £10,000. She is asking for help from the community.

Anyone who can contribute to 'Copper's Tetanus Fund' can use the following web link to Cassie's GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/copper-dog-needs-our-helpCassie added: "At only 14 months old he should have the rest of his life ahead of him not be fighting for it in hospital due to poor luck.

"Copper is in ICU for having Tetanus. We think he contracted it through a tiny cut in his paw. This has left Copper completely paralysed with a locked jaw and unable to eat.

"He has had a feeding tube fitted, which he is tolerating well. He is requiring a lot of sedation to keep him calm, although we have now started weaning him off this. Compared to the bouncy pup, always scavenging for food and zooming about, it breaks my heart that he deteriorated to this in just a couple of days."

Unfortunately Copper does not have medical insurance, which is why Cassie started the GoFundMe page for help from the community.

She added: "Unfortunately we haven’t got insurance for Copper. It was one of those things I kept meaning to get round to, but never did. Wow, am I regretting it now. You cannot put a price on saving the life of a family member, and he is a massive part of our family.

Even with insurance Cassie and her family knew Copper's treatment would come at a massive cost. Medical bills are now likely to exceed £10,000 when he will hopefully be able to come home in two weeks.

Cassie also hopes her fundraising campaign for Copper will help raise awareness about the disease Tetanus.

According to the Vet Times, Tetanus is a potentially life-threatening disease in dogs seen following infection of a wound or surgical site. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the most effective way to prevent tetanus is to ensure that all wounds receive prompt veterinary treatment.

She said: "We live in Banbury, and this is where he is walked (Salt Way and Longford Park). The disease is caused by bacteria that enters a tiny wound.

"We would like to make people aware of this so they can make sure all their pets walked in the area have any cuts or grazes cleaned with disinfectant.

"Copper had a tiny cut on his paw that had only showed by a tender paw for one day then he was fine. We were unable to see a wound so thought nothing of it.

It’s just so awful that it’s come to this from something so small. There’s no test and he had no temperature and his bloods were fine. It’s only by spotting symptoms early that they can have a good chance at recovery."