Leeds vets save pet ferret after it accidentally goes through full washing machine cycle

A young ferret which was given just one percent chance of survival has made a miraculous recovery - after going through a full washing machine cycle.
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Bandit the ferret suffered severe bruising, a collapsed lung and was on the brink of death when his owners Jackie Redfern and Josh Crosse, both 33, found him in the washer.

They were unaware their furry friend had cosied up in a pile of clothes and gone for a quick nap before he was sent whirling and twirling for 100 minutes.

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The two-year-old ferret was rushed to Vets4Pets in Colton, the nearest emergency veterinarian practice, where he was placed on intravenous therapy to save his life.

Bandit the ferret was given a 1 per cent chance of survival after going through full wash cycle in his owner’s washing machine.Bandit the ferret was given a 1 per cent chance of survival after going through full wash cycle in his owner’s washing machine.
Bandit the ferret was given a 1 per cent chance of survival after going through full wash cycle in his owner’s washing machine.

Vets told the worried couple that Bandit, who was “limp and lifeless”, had just a one percent chance of survival but he was clinging on to life.

The veterinary team successfully drained his collapsed lung and the medication and oxygen treatment helped Bandit to recover from his near death experience.

He was intensively nursed with warming implements, given medications for potential drowning and secondary drowning, placed in oxygen and given anti-inflammatories.

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The grateful couple have welcomed little Bandit back home following his “miraculous” recovery where he has returned to playing with his brother Mikey.

The pair said they are grateful to have him back after the scare but said they now “double and triple check” the washing before putting it on.

Jackie, from Leeds, said: “The few hours we spent at home awaiting the dreaded call from Vets4Pets Leeds Colton went so slowly.

“When we found Bandit he was limp and it was only when we rubbed his chest that he made a couple of slight wheezing noises.

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“The team at Vets4Pets Leeds Colton were brilliant with us and quickly took Bandit into an emergency room to try their best to save him.

“After those few long hours we had a call to say Bandit was responding positively to treatment, but that he would need to be kept in overnight at the nearest vet hospital.

“Bandit had to spend a second night in hospital to make sure he was well enough to continue his recovery at home with his brother, but when we went to collect him, he was excited to see us and was trying to get out of his cage.

“His brother Mikey had been quiet for two days, but as soon as Bandit was back, he immediately perked up.”

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Jackie and Josh said that after they left Bandit at the clinic in late November they were expecting the worst and nervously awaited a call from the practice.

She said that they thought Bandit was tucked up snuggly with his brother Mikey, and switched the washing machine on, unaware of that he was in hidden snugly.

The incident left Bandit feeling "fairly unsteady" for a couple of weeks but he has since returned to his normal self.

Jackie, who works in finance, said: “For the first couple of weeks after the incident Bandit was fairly unsteady but he then started to get back to his normal self.

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“It’s now been three months since the event and thankfully Bandit is now doing really well and seemingly none the worse for his ordeal.

“Josh and I still have flashbacks about the incident, always double and triple checking the washing machine before switching it on to make sure our beloved Bandit or Mikey haven’t sneaked in.

“Thanks to the wonderful emergency help from the team at Vets4Pets Leeds Colton, who saved his life and then Vets4Pets Leeds Birstall Hospital for the after care, we can have many happy years and memories with Bandit, and Mikey.”

Veterinary surgeon David Massey said that they were able to save Bandit's life and "prevent a tragedy" thanks to the quick thinking owners who immediately called for help.

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David said: “Bandit was in a pretty bad way when he came in, but the team here got to work quickly to try and save his life.

“His owners’ quick-thinking upon realising the situation also helped ensure we could prevent a tragedy.

“Amazingly within four hours of being admitted he took a few gentle steps, which is when we started to become confident, he would make a good, and miraculous, recovery.

“He needed a few days of specialist care to ensure he didn’t relapse, but it was fantastic to see him reunited with Josh and Jackie after the ordeal.

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“While this situation is thankfully extremely rare, washing machines and tumble dryers can often be a place our furry friends can seek out, particularly during colder weather when they might be looking for a cosy place to curl up.”

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