Retriever puppy badly injured by embedded harness in BC

A golden retriever puppy in Powell River was so injured from an improperly fitted harness it required emergency surgery to fix it.

On June 24, the six-month-old pup, called Air Bud, was surrendered to a BC SPCA animal centre and immediately taken to a local veterinary hospital for treatment of two four-inch lesions caused by an embedded harness, according to media release by BC SPCA issued on July 10.

“In an outdoorsy, coastal region like ours, it’s not unusual to see pets with minor cuts and scrapes from playing outside, hiking or swimming, but wounds this severe are quite rare. Even as a born and raised farm kid, the lesions from the harness around Air Bud’s armpits and sides were hard for me to look at,” said manager at qathet Community Animal Centre Tara Daniels. “The worst part is knowing that he was suffering from this entirely preventable injury without any treatment or pain management.”

It isn’t clear how long the puppy had been wearing the harness, but the straps had been digging into it for a long time.

The pup had surgery to repair the lesions and is currently being fostered by one the clinic’s staff members, receiving pain medication and antibiotics. Air Bud is described in the release as a sweet and affectionate pup who loves snuggling, and is showing signs of becoming an active, outdoorsy dog.

Once his wounds have healed, Air Bud will be scheduled for a neuter surgery before he can start looking for his loving forever home. 

“Air Bud’s situation is a good reminder for all dog guardians,” Daniels said. “While harnesses are usually more comfortable for a dog than clipping a leash to their collar, the harness has to fit properly. You should be able to comfortably fit two fingers between the material of the harness and your dog’s body. If not, it can cause injury and fear for the animal and lead to more harm than good. A harness should never be so tight that it’s causing chafing or cinching.”

Daniels said as puppies grow larger sized harnesses need to be purchased and owners should check before each walk to ensure there is plenty of room for the dog to move comfortably. 

“If you’re unsure how to check, the animal care staff in the centre are happy to show you during your adoption,” she said. “And if you’re hoping to invest in an expensive harness for your pup, it’s not a bad idea to start with a more basic one until your puppy has stopped growing.”

Go here to help Air Bud and other animals in the BC SPCA’s care.