Last month, after an emergency report came in about an IDF soldier injured by gunfire in Gaza, Dr. Snir Azlan’s team from the IDF Sufa base’s Medical Organization Division located in southern Israel raced to the border inside an ambulance.
While driving toward the assembly point, another report came in saying a canine named Pumba was also injured in the same incident alongside the soldier. The team arrived at the location at 7:30 p.m. to a complex scene.
The injured soldier was hit in both legs, while the dog, carried on a stretcher by four soldiers from the IDF’s canine special forces unit Oketz, was critically wounded and in urgent need of life-saving treatment.
"While treating the wounded soldier, I realized we needed to act quickly to address Pumba's injuries to avoid losing him. He had severe injuries to his skull, ear and neck, was covered in blood and barely responded to his surroundings. His breathing was heavy and rapid, but even though I'd never treated a dog before, it was clear that he would die within minutes without immediate treatment," Azlan recalled.
Despite the challenge of treating the wounded dog, the medical team’s effort to stop his bleeding eventually succeeded. One of the soldiers told Azlan what had happened in the field, explaining that the unit had encountered terrorists in an incident involving grenades and gunfire which resulted in injuries to several soldiers and the dog, Pumba.
Azlan instructed two members of his team to continue treating the soldiers while another tended to the dog. He himself stayed on the phone with the unit's veterinarian, providing updates on Pumba's condition.
After understanding the necessary dosages, Pumba's heart rate regulated, giving the medical team a moment of hope they were on the right track. Pumba began to look better, his gums regained color and his nose regained moisture.
The veterinarian, still on the phone, stressed that a human plasma transfusion must not be given to a dog, as it could be fatal. Around that time, the injured soldier was evacuated to Soroka Medical Center for further treatment.
The conversation with the veterinarian continued and the team switched to video feed to allow the veterinarian to see what was happening. Azlan gave a detailed report of the dog’s injuries, stressing that Pumba's condition was becoming more stable by the minute and that the team was on the right track to save his life.
About an hour and a half after the incident began, an ambulance from the Oketz Unit arrived and Pumba was transferred into their care. The Oketz medical team thanked Azlan and his team for the swift treatment that saved the brave dog’s life.
At this point, relief washed over the team knowing that Pumba had been saved. "The next day, I called the Oketz veterinarian to check on Pumba's condition. He had been transferred to the animal hospital where he underwent several surgeries that stabilized his condition," Azlan recounted.
"In terms of field treatment, the situation was extremely challenging. We had an injured soldier, four other soldiers who needed thorough checkups since they were also involved in the terrorist encounter, and a critically wounded dog. Throughout the complex incident, I was confident we would provide the best care, given that my team has extensive experience treating the wounded during the war," he added.
Azlan remains optimistic despite the long rehabilitation process ahead for Pumba, who will undergo further tests to determine his chances of returning to full functionality and military activity alongside the soldier he was originally paired with.
"Oketz canines are an integral part of the IDF's combat forces because of their tremendous operational value. In the previous war, they served on the frontlines many times and saved countless soldiers thanks to their exceptional abilities,” Azlan explained.
“The IDF invests significant resources in them and as medical personnel, we've often witnessed the quick and professional care they receive in the field. Oketz soldiers care for them and treat them like any other soldier in combat, which is inspiring to see," he added.