PDSA vets save Rex from disaster after he swallowed a rib bone from a Chinese takeaway

A 4-month-old Labrador puppy called Rex narrowly missed a punctured stomach after getting his paws on a large rib bone from a Chinese takeaway.

Rex’s loving owner, Holly Harris (23) from Glasgow, became increasingly worried when her beloved dog began vomiting and crying. 

Holly said: “He was being very cuddly, which isn’t like Rex. He’s normally energetic and doesn’t sit still for long. Then, when he suddenly started vomiting, I knew something wasn’t right.” 

Worried about her puppy, Holly decided to phone Glasgow PDSA Pet Hospital to ask for some advice. After she explained his symptoms and her growing concerns, the veterinary team asked to see Rex for an examination.

Holly said: “They took him away for X-rays, and to my horror, they found a rib bone from the previous night’s Chinese takeaway stuck in his stomach. The vets and vet nurses needed to operate immediately to remove it.”

She continued: “We felt very scared and overwhelmed; nothing prepares you for your tiny puppy having to go through intricate surgery. We just hoped he’d survive.”

Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Susan Hermit, said: “We were absolutely amazed to see the size of the rib bone in Rex’s stomach - we couldn’t believe he’d managed to swallow it whole! There was a high risk that the sharp edges of the bone could puncture his stomach with life-threatening consequences, so we took him to surgery right away. Luckily we were able to remove the bone before any serious damage was done.” 

Thankfully, after a successful operation, Holly was able to take Rex home the same day with a prescription for antibiotics, pain relief and strict rest.

Holly said: “When we took Rex home, we had to keep a close eye on his scar and make sure he didn’t eat anything else he wasn’t supposed to!

“We did whatever it took to keep him safe and comfortable whilst he was recovering from surgery, and thanks to PDSA vets, he has made a full recovery.”

During the pandemic, Holly was shielding with her partner Graeme (25) and lost income due to her job being seasonal, which had a significant impact on their mental health. 

She said: “Rex has helped us in more ways than we can describe, providing us with entertainment and a reason to go outside for walks.”

“The support we have received from PDSA has been amazing. They saved Rex’s life, and I will forever be grateful for that.”

We need your help so we can treat more pets like Rex

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. Every year, we treat over 388,000 pets. Without us, emergency cases like Rex's would go untreated and many pets could lose their lives or be separated from families who love them.

Your generous support means that we can keep treating pets with the vital care they so desperately need to pull through injury and illness. Every £1 donated will help us make sure sick and injured pets, like Rex, get the emergency treatment they desperately need.

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