Skip to content

West Kelowna vet saves turtle from hook

Dr. Moshe Oz removed fish hook lodged in the turtle’s throat
17717267_web1_Turtle-good
Happy Sunny after surgery, photo provided by Dr. Moshe Oz.

A West Kelowna veterinarian has released a turtle back into a pond after surgically removing a large fishing hook from the reptile’s throat.

Dr. Moshe Oz of the Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital and his son named the turtle Sunny and sent him on his way Saturday.

“Here is the big moment! And a great night for the family! Big hugs to everyone,” wrote Dr. Oz.

Dr. Oz says the hook was meant for catching salmon and there was a bob on it, which made it difficult to remove.

“It was a large hook and I couldn’t just pull it out, I had to cut open the turtles throat and remove it surgically,” said Dr. Oz.

He says the turtle came from Shannon Lake and wouldn’t have been able to survive if he wasn’t brought into the Veterinary Hospital.

“If you catch something that isn’t a fish, you should bring it to a vet immediately, and try not to use large hooks or bobs,” said Dr. Oz.


@LarynGilmour
laryn.gilmour@blackpress.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

17717267_web1_IMG_2621
Sunny the turtle during surgery, photo provided by Dr. Moshe Oz.