Badger: Saved After Emergency CT Scan at Animal Trust Ellesmere Port

Badger the Springer from Shropshire has been saved after a 15cm stick became lodged in his throat, thanks to rapid intervention from vets and advanced CT scanning technology at Animal Trust’s Ellesmere Port hospital.

Badger was on a routine walk when the incident happened suddenly, leaving his family — including a distressed young granddaughter — unsure what to do. They immediately brought him to their local Animal Trust practice, where he was quickly referred to Animal Trust Vets Ellesmere Port for emergency imaging and treatment.

On arrival, the team promptly assessed and stabilised Badger before carrying out an urgent CT scan using the hospital’s newly installed state-of-the-art scanner. The scan revealed a large stick lodged deep in his oesophagus — a potentially life-threatening emergency requiring fast and accurate diagnosis.

Badger’s family said:

“It all happened so fast — one minute it was a normal walk, the next we were panicking. My granddaughter was heartbroken. The team were amazing — calm, kind and so reassuring. We couldn’t have asked for better care and we’re so grateful for how quickly they acted.”

The case highlights the benefits of Animal Trust’s recent £400,000 investment in advanced CT scanners at its Ellesmere Port and Bolton hospitals, improving access to rapid, high-quality diagnostics for emergency cases.

The Siemens CT scanners produce highly detailed images in seconds, allowing vets to diagnose serious conditions quickly and safely, while reducing the time pets need to spend under anaesthetic.

The Ellesmere Port hospital has also recently been expanded to treat more emergency and referral cases, supported by an experienced surgical team and advanced practitioners.

Owen Monie, Founder of Animal Trust, said:

“It’s great to have been able to help Badger with a rapid diagnosis and speedy resolution in his moment of crisis. Being able to quickly and accurately diagnose can make all the difference, and we’re proud to be constantly investing in making that level of care more accessible for pets across the region.”

CT Scanning with Animal Trust Vets

Animal Trust offers advanced CT scanning services to support fast, accurate diagnosis for complex and urgent cases. CT imaging is available at both our Ellesmere Port and Bolton practices, helping veterinary teams quickly identify internal injuries, obstructions and disease.

A single CT scan of one body location is available, providing detailed cross-sectional imaging to support clinical decision-making and treatment planning. This service is priced at £1,019.

CT scanning plays a vital role in emergency and referral cases, allowing vets to diagnose conditions rapidly and reduce time under anaesthetic where possible.

For external veterinary referrals, you can book directly via our referral form: External vet referrals form