Otter rushed to vet after slicing nose during fishing mishap

By Ed Chatterton

A mischievous young otter needed rescuing and emergency veterinary help after slicing his nose on a pond filter during a garden fishing trip.

Adorable photos show the otter - dubbed Rudolf after being left with a bloody red nose - with a tiny oxygen mask strapped to his face at a vet’s office.

The curious critter was discovered with a nasty injury after getting a little too adventurous during an ill-advised fishing trip.

Rudolf, who is believed to be less than a year old, had ventured too close to a pond filter and came off worse for wear.

After being rescued, the youngster was rushed into the care of Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue before being taken to Grimsby Vets for Pets.

Vets said although Rudolf might look like a “cuddly storybook character” they quickly discovered he had a feisty side.

Because he is a wild animal, the stubborn otter could not be safely handled while awake and had to be examined under sedation.

Thankfully, despite his bright red nose, Rudolf’s injury was not too serious and should heal on its own without any treatment.

Dr. Agata Tiszler, practice owner and veterinarian at Grimsby Vets for Pets, said: “Rudolf was small, determined and very clear about the fact that he did not want to be examined.

“We described him as ‘spicy’, which is probably the kindest way to put it.

“Although everyone was excited to see an otter at the practice for the first time, our priority was keeping him calm and making sure we could examine him safely.

“It was a huge relief to find that his nose should heal without treatment.

“Encounters like this remind us just how much remarkable wildlife lives alongside our local community.”

Rudolf is now heading to the UK’s otter rehabilitation center in Devon, where he will receive specialist support before the next stage of his recovery journey.