A much-loved Labrador has celebrated his 10th birthday, a milestone his loving owner thought at one stage he might never see.

Jasper’s life hung in the balance when he was rushed to DWR Veterinary Specialists in Cambridgeshire with a ruptured gall bladder and leakage of bile into the abdominal cavity.

The seriousness of Jasper’s medical condition some five years ago was not underestimated by vets or his owners, who continue to say thanks to the team at the animal hospital.

Jasper only survived due to emergency surgery to remove the gall bladder and lavage of the abdomen.

Even then, he wasn’t out of the woods as he developed sepsis (blood poisoning) secondary to the infection in the abdomen, a life-threatening condition which required treatment with a 12-week course of antibiotics.

Jasper’s owner said: “We are forever grateful for everything the team, and everyone at DWR did for him. He is a wonderful dog and we are very lucky to have him in our lives.

“Now he has celebrated his 10th birthday he has slowed down a lot in the past 18 months and is getting stiff in his old age, but otherwise doing really well I’m so pleased to say.”

Rachel said: “It’s great to hear from Jasper’s owners after many years and know that he’s doing well.

“He has been such a special patient and we are so thrilled to hear he is enjoying life. Hearing news like this makes it all worthwhile.”

DWR Veterinary Specialists is located at Six Mile Bottom.