Paris

Paris, a French Bulldog, needed life-saving surgery at PDSA after swallowing some floral string lights.

Five-year-old Paris has made a full recovery and defied the odds thanks to the veterinary team at PDSA.

Susan Bamptom, who lives alone with her dog, Paris, had just moved to a new bungalow when she noticed that her little companion became unwell.

Seeing that her beloved companion was so poorly, Susan took  Paris to Birmingham (Aston) PDSA Pet Hospital. On examination, the vet found Paris to be dehydrated and very quiet. Paris was immediately admitted for a fluid drip to treat her dehydration and anti-sickness medication.

PDSA Vet, Kirstin Sunderland, said: “We were extremely concerned that Paris might have a blockage in her guts, so we arranged for further tests as soon as possible. X-rays showed an obvious linear foreign body.

“This is where something long and thin (like string, yarn etc) is swallowed, and one end becomes stuck, while the free end trails down the remainder of the gut. The intestines attempt to move this trailing foreign body along, but because one end is stuck, it can’t go anywhere.

“This then results in the intestines crawling up the foreign body, and becoming bunched, a bit like a drawstring in trousers. These can be particularly serious, because as the intestine bunches up and continues to move, the repeated sawing motion along the intestinal wall can cause a tear, or perforation (a hole).

“Paris was taken to theatre straightaway as she needed complex surgery to remove the foreign material; it extended from her stomach to her jejunum and ileum (the middle and the last part of the small intestine). The object appeared to be a sequence of five to six plastic objects resembling flowers that were connected via string.”

Thankfully, Paris recovered well from her surgery. She was hospitalised for overnight care to continue her pain relief and antibiotics and so the vet team could keep a close eye on her.

Kirstin added: “It was touch and go for a while for poor Paris, as she suffered some regurgitation (when a dog brings up undigested food, with no retching or signs of feeling sick) and had no interest in drinking or eating. This is a particular anaesthetic risk for flat faced breeds, such as French Bulldogs because the extra effort they need to breathe due to their skull shape and narrowed airways increases the pressure in their chest, which can lead to their stomach contents being sucked into the food pipe and causing irritation.

“This is one of the reasons flat faced breeds can face a higher risk of complications under anaesthetic, alongside the risk of aspiration pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening condition where stomach acid or food particles get into the lungs and cause inflammation.”

The vet team gave her medication to help, and thankfully, her condition improved. She was discharged later that day with pain relief, antibiotics and instructions for strict rest.

Ten days after she was discharged, her wound staples were removed. And thanks to the vet team at PDSA, she has made a full recovery. Now, Paris is her normal, happy self, and is firmly back where she belongs - by her loving owner’s side.

Total cost of Paris’ treatment: £1,439.22

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. Through our 48 Pet Hospitals and Pet Care scheme, we save the lives of poorly pets who would otherwise be left untreated.

Every year, we helped over 388,000 pets. Without us, emergency cases like Paris' would be left untreated and many pets could lose their lives or be separated from families who love them.

We wouldn’t be here for dogs like Paris without your support. Please consider donating today.

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