SPEEDY the Siberian hamster is lucky to be alive after he escaped from his cage and gobbled up enough rat poison to kill himself several times over.

Now the eight-month-old is set to be entered into the PDSA Pet Survivor of the Year 2005 awards which honours pets that survive life-threatening experiences.

Owner Sarah Merrick, of Chapel Close, Corfe Mullen, said she feared Speedy had eaten poison meant for field mice when she awoke in the night to hear him scurrying around.

When she reached Speedy she saw that the pouches in his cheeks were stuffed full of poison.

She allowed the rodent to return to his cage and empty his pouches, then took him to Hillside Veterinary Centre in Corfe Mullen where he was treated with injections of vitamin K. Now Speedy has been given a clean bill of health.

Vet Karen Pearce said it was the first such case involving a hamster she had seen. She added: "It's pretty rare in dogs and cats and I've never heard of it in a hamster."

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First published: May 24