After being loose for more than an hour, Prince was found collapsed and suffering from life-threatening heatstroke. What happened next brought together quick-thinking good Samaritans, Animal Control Officer Foster, and our emergency team at BVS + AE in an incredible effort to help save his life.
Community Heroes Save Prince
We wanted to take a moment to recognize Animal Control Officer Foster, whose quick actions helped save the life of Prince, a 3-year-old Pit Bull this past Sunday.
Prince was visiting PetSmart with his owners when he became spooked and slipped out of both his harness and the door. He was loose for more than an hour while Officer Foster patrolled the area looking for him. During her search, Officer Foster saw Prince collapse into the bushes outside a nearby Smokehouse. She credits several good Samaritans who saw Prince collapse, approached him, and stayed by his side while she made her way safely across the roadway to reach him.
As soon as Officer Foster got to Prince, she recognized that he was experiencing active heatstroke and needed veterinary care immediately. She rushed him straight to our Emergency Department.
Our Emergency Team Was Ready for Prince
When Prince arrived, he was obtunded and in respiratory distress, with a temperature over 110°F. His paw pads were also ulcerated and burned. Our team, led by Dr. Brad Venable, immediately began lifesaving treatment, including cooling measures and IV fluids. Thankfully, Prince began responding to fluid therapy.
Within a short period of time, he was able to sit up and eventually stand with assistance. His pupillary light reflexes (PLRs) and menace responses returned to normal, and his vision returned. Prince was hospitalized overnight for continued fluid therapy, gastroprotectants, antibiotics, and close monitoring. His injured paws were also treated and bandaged.
Thanks to a full team effort, both here at BVS + AE and alongside Officer Foster, we are so happy to share that Prince was able to go home on Monday!
Grateful for the Community Around Us
Stories like Prince’s are a powerful reminder of why strong relationships within our veterinary and animal welfare community matter.
Working closely with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control, supporting the Lexington Humane Society, and maintaining open communication with our referral partners help us be there when animals like Prince need us most.
We are incredibly grateful to Officer Foster for her persistence, quick thinking, and commitment to getting Prince the emergency care he needed. We also want to thank the good Samaritans who saw Prince in distress and stayed with him until help arrived.
And, of course, we are very proud of Dr. Venable and our entire BVS + AE team for being ready to provide Prince with the lifesaving care he needed.
Officer Foster shared:
“We are so thankful for the team at BVS for always taking in animals in a timely manner, and holding the same passion for animal welfare that we do here.”
To Officer Foster, the good Samaritans who stopped to help, and everyone on our team who cared for Prince, thank you for coming together when it mattered most. We couldn’t be happier that Prince is doing great and back home safe and sound.
