Dog with 'grapefruit-sized' head tumour rescued
Terrier Norman, aged 11, was brought to Woodgreen Pets Charity in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, by its desperate owner who said they could not afford veterinary care.
The dog had a 700g (1.5lb) growth - heavier than a bag of sugar - which the charity said was weighing down the small creature, was smelly and was attracting flies.
Vets removed the benign growth in a "tricky, yet successful, operation" and Norman will be put up for rehoming, but the charity urged owners not to wait until an animal got into this state.
The charity, made famous by Channel 4's series The Dog House, said Norman was brought in last month with a "growth the size of a grapefruit on his head, attracting flies and causing serious discomfort".
His owner walked in asking for help, unable to afford food or the urgent vet treatment Norman needed, they said.
The charity described Norman's tumour as "a huge, ulcerated lump".
Helen Stapleton, head of intake and rehoming at Woodgreen, said: "The lump was so large and heavy that it dominated Norman's small body. It must have been very uncomfortable for him.
"Luckily, Norman is doing well - he loves a cuddle and belly rub.
"Norman's story is a stark reminder of the growing number of pet owners who are facing financial hardship because of the cost-of-living crisis, and are therefore having to make heartbreaking decisions. Sadly, we're seeing more cases like Norman's at Woodgreen," she added.
The charity said it was hearing more and more stories of pet owners who were turning to food banks to feed both themselves and their animals, and said: "A significant concern is that we're seeing a growing number of owners delay veterinary visits out of fear they won't be able to afford the bill.
"Sadly, this can potentially lead to longer-term or more serious health issues, and greater discomfort for pets – like Norman's case.
"We urge anyone who's struggling to seek support before they reach this point."
Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hot dogs and cool cats – advice for pet owners
Calls to charity for pet help rise during pandemic
Pet owners struggling with food bills says charity
Woodgreen Pets Charity
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Yahoo
Stray cat with 'worst case of fleas' on the mend
A stray cat with the worst case of fleas vets said they had seen "in years" is recovering after more than a month of treatment. Named Firefly by staff, the male was brought into Woodgreen Pets Charity in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, by a member of the public who saw the cat struggling on one of the hottest days of the year last month. Woodgreen said he was "dangerously" dehydrated, "ravenously" hungry and much of his fur was missing because the flea infestation was so severe. The charity urged people to be aware of the dangers that extreme heat poses to pets - and particularly to stray or abandoned animals. The long-haired black and white cat is about four years old and was not neutered or microchipped, so Woodgreen staff ha no idea if he ever belonged to anyone or how long he had been fending for himself. The charity said when Firefly was brought in he was so underweight that vets had to put him on fluids immediately. Vets described it as one of the worst cases of fleas they had seen in years. They said he was "slowly gaining strength" although remained underweight and "constantly hungry". Beverley Street, senior operations manager at Woodgreen, said: "If Firefly hadn't come to us when he did, he wouldn't have survived. He was in a terrible state, and it was obvious he hadn't eaten for a while. "If you find an unwell or injured stray cat during hot weather, try to move them to a shaded, well-ventilated area and offer them cool, fresh water. "Contact a local vet or rescue charity as soon as possible - it may save their life. "Always avoid leaving animals in confined spaces for long periods during high temperatures - even with the best intentions, the heat can quickly become deadly." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Is summer over or is another heatwave on the way? Animal owners warned of 'huge risks' of heatwave Hot dogs and cool cats – advice for pet owners Related internet links Woodgreen Pets Charity
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Yahoo
How Do You Spot ADHD In Kids? Expert Shares The Subtle Signs To Look For At Home And School
A leading expert in ADHD has opened up about the signs of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children which might warrant further exploration. Professor Stephen Scott, a consultant child psychiatrist, spoke to Dr Karan Rajan for the Channel 4 show, Do You Have ADHD?, about the subtle signs adults might notice in kids at home and school. 'First of all, if you're just watching them in the school playground, are they running around more than other kids?' said Prof Scott. 'At the table, compared with their brother, do they have to keep getting up and down? 'Are they always forgetting things much more? Are they leaving gym kit at school, and that sort of thing – this disorganisation.' If any of this rings true, the second step is to get an idea of what your child is like at school when you're not there, said the expert. The best way to do this is by speaking to their teacher. 'If they're fine in class, it's something else – it's not ADHD,' Prof Scott continued. 'But if the teacher says 'yes they're very disruptive, they're always chatting and talking to the other people ... they seem to be daydreaming,' then you're more likely to be onto something.' How does ADHD feel for children In the show, which explored the complexities of life with ADHD, and the challenges faced by children and adults awaiting a formal diagnosis, children described how ADHD impacted them. One boy, James, said: 'I think I just feel maybe a little more hyper – and also I fidget a lot. I mean, a lot a lot.' Meanwhile Isla said: 'Sometimes I have too many things in my head that I just lose everything, so I can't think of what I'm saying.' Prof Scott pointed out that because boys with ADHD are 'often hyperactive and impulsive', it means they tend to get referred to services, 'whereas the girls can just be inattentive and it can be missed until adolescence'. With inattentive ADHD, children might struggle to pay attention, forget things easily, or lose important items, according to the Child Mind Institute. This can become more obvious when kids reach secondary school, as the workload increases and they're expected to work independently, which they might really struggle to do. When symptoms lead to significant suffering and cause problems at home, at school or work, diagnosis is important – especially as ADHD can lead to poor self-esteem and social function in kids when not appropriately treated. What to do if your child shows signs of ADHD If you suspect your child has ADHD and it's impacting their day-to-day life, speak to your GP, who can help rule out other conditions, such as autism and anxiety. There isn't a specific test to diagnose ADHD – it is typically made by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or clinical psychologist via an assessment, for which waiting times can vary. Great Ormond Street Hospital's states that an ADHD diagnosis 'can be considered but will not usually be confirmed until a child is around six years old and starts school'. The NHS recommends the following lifestyle changes to help a child manage their ADHD symptoms: Make time for physical activities they enjoy. Encourage them to get regular sleep. Help them to have a healthy, balanced diet and regular mealtimes. (Schedule regular meals or snacks no more than three hours apart.) If some foods and drinks seem to affect their symptoms, keep a food and drink diary to see what these are. Related... People Are Just Realising ADHD Has Links To This Joint Condition Waiting Endlessly For ADHD Or Autism Assessment? 'Right To Choose' May Get You Seen Sooner 10 Early Signs Of ADHD In Toddlers Experts Want Parents To Know
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Newsweek
Golden Retriever Plays With Toddler in Backyard, Then He Decides To Roll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Social-media users have fallen in love with a playful golden retriever and his toddler sister. Katherine and Michael Graft (@hellothisisnorman) posted a reel of Norman bounding across the backyard chasing a ball, until he drops it in front of little Daisy and rolls over, flattening her in the process. "We have so many videos and photos of them together, but this is one that we continued to go back and revisit because it became a core memory for us," the couple from Milwaukee told Newsweek. Norman the golden retriever plays with the toddler girl in the backyard. Norman the golden retriever plays with the toddler girl in the backyard. @hellothisisnorman But Norman wasn't just a pet. He helped the family heal their broken hearts when Michael and Katherine lost their newborn son Everett in 2018. He had suffered a birth injury and was diagnosed with both Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and a rare, fatal disorder called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. After spending five weeks in the NICU, Everett passed away in Katherine's arms and Michael by their side holding his hand. "The pain of leaving the hospital without our baby and going home without him was unbearable," Michael told Newsweek. "In those early months of grief, he gave us something to pour our love into and was a constant companion." By August of that year, Norman came home. "He truly helped save us and heal our hearts," Katherine said. "He was with us through IVF, getting pregnant with Daisy, bringing Daisy home, moving from Chicago to Milwaukee, the pandemic." When the couple welcome their newborn son, Rory, Norman became a big brother to him too. And there was room for one more—Norman's nephew, Gus, also joined the clan. "Kate often said he took on our grief," Michael said. "Dogs are so intuitive, but he did become Kate's shadow; always by her side and ultimately the sweetest and most patient fur brother to Daisy and Rory." Their reel has since gone viral on Instagram, amassing almost 11 million views and nearly 1 likes. Hundreds of social-media users fell in love with Norman in the comments section. "They're gonna be the best of friends you can already tell," one user wrote. "The dog's impulsive thoughts won," another posted. Sadly, Norman is no longer with the Grafts, but his memory lives on. "It felt right to post it after Norman passed away," the couple said. "We wanted to share the joy and laughter it brought to us—and share Norman with others. "The response has been heartwarming. Daisy is now 6, and this is still one of her favorite videos to look back on and watch."
