Last Tuesday, Emily Loxton and her children Sophie, Harry and Freddie were visiting their grandparent’s property in the school holidays.  

“We were on a morning walk,” Emily explained, “when Stella immediately acted out of character; loudly barking and circling, before a series of seizures took place.”

The Labrador was immediately rushed to Yass Veterinary Hospital, where the staff were assembled for the suspected 1080 poisoning. 

For Emily, it appeared the labrador had nibbled at a poisoned dead rabbit, approximately 30 minutes earlier. 

"We thought we were going to lose her ... the odds were against us.  

“We were two kilometres from the homestead, but luckily my sister-in-law was able to phone Dad and he sped into the paddock.

"Thanks to Dad’s quick action and Mum’s water bottle keeping her temperature as cool as we could, we had a record-breaking trip to town.” 

Phoning ahead to the veterinary hospital, the staff were able to act immediately.

The Loxtons were grateful for the urgency and professionalism by Dr Fiona McPhail and staff at Yass Veterinary Hospital.  

“It was such an intense and traumatic experience and time was of the essence,” Emily admitted.  

Stella however, was not completely out of the woods.  

Stella underwent lavaging on her stomach, a charcoal treatment and was put into an induced coma. The brave Labrador was transferred to the Animal Referral Hospital in Canberra, where further tests took place and constant care was given.

‘Dr Amanda Solley was painting a grave outlook, having seen cases like this before, with a fateful end,’ she said.  

‘My husband Steve, who was in Sydney at the time, had agreed to do everything we could that evening to give Stella the best chance of survival. 

“It was a long emotional night!”

It wasn’t until the following morning the family found that Stella’s vitals were OK and miraculously she had pulled through.  

“We felt such relief, but the staff were still painting a grave outlook as they drew on past experience.

“Mum and I were beside ourselves, each day the odds seemed to change.”

After three long nights Stella slowly awoke and although a little wobbly on her legs, she appeared healthy.  The whole family was relieved.  

“We were so fortunate to be in the hands of experts who knew exactly what they were treating. 

“So many dogs have not been so lucky.  We feel incredibly blessed to have her back home, under a careful, watchful eye, and on a lead again.”