A dog was left fighting for his life after being bitten by an adder during a walk in Faversham.

Alex Hayes, of Napleton Road, was walking her West Highland terriers yesterday in Flood Lane when one, Harry, cried out.

The seven-year-old pooch's heart began to beat extremely fast, and so Mrs Hayes rushed him to Faversham Veterinary Clinic.

The mother-of-two says she is "utterly heartbroken" and that Harry is "far from out of the woods."

"A walk in the sunshine at lunch time left Harry fighting for his life," the 49-year-old said.

"I was doing my usual walk with my two dogs, Harry, seven and Bea, two, down to the grassy area by Flood Lane just by the river.

"We had only been there about ten minutes, and both of them were on leads, when suddenly Harry screamed and lifted his back leg, then fell to the grass.

"I thought he must have stood on something like some glass but I couldn't find anything.

"His heart rate started to go quite significantly, so I rang my husband to come and get the other dog so I could get Harry to the vet.

"I picked him up and ran him to the vets and straight away they realised it was something quite significant.

"Within two hours he had had the anti-venom administered while completely sedated.

"I am utterly heartbroken."

Harry made it through the night and Mrs Hayes says test results show that his condition is improving.

"Sadly he is far from out of the woods for a time yet with a focus on his kidneys and liver in the hope of no lasting damage," she said.

"The big risk now is his organs so he has had a lot of blood tests and will have more.

"It will be a good week or so before he gets the all clear.

"He will be coming home today, but will be going back for tests, because they just feel he needs to be in his own environment.

"I was in shock yesterday because there was just a gut reaction that there was something more sinister than just stepping on something because of how quickly he deteriorated.

"When we got to the vet, he would not let them touch him because he was clearly in a massive amount of pain.
"It was really scary, and it still is because he's not out of the woods yet."

Mrs Hayes says she "can't thank the vets enough", but wants to warn other dog walkers of adders in the area.

"I think the warmer weather, from what people have said, has brought more adders to the area than we probably realise," she added.

"I think the important thing with Harry was getting him to the vets straight away so they could get the anti-venom in him, otherwise it would be a very different story.

"The vets have been unbelievable, they have been prioritising him.

"The swiftness of Faversham Vets has been outstanding."

The vet in South Road has posted an urgent warning yesterday on Facebook, saying: "Dog bitten by adder in Flood Lane by Creek behind Morrisons. Please avoid this area."