A charming puppy narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation thanks to his owner’s quick intervention, allowing him to survive and share his ‘tail’ of adventure.
When Cody, the playful one-year-old dog, rushed inside from the front garden, visibly distressed and struggling to breathe, his owner Claire Roy immediately sensed something was wrong.
Earlier that evening, while playing in the garden, Cody accidentally ingested a small stone, which got stuck in his throat, obstructing his airway. Despite appearing to have a cough, Cody was actually gasping for air as the stone blocked his larynx.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Claire swiftly reviewed the doorbell camera footage, spotting Cody swallowing the stone, which prompted her to take urgent action to save her beloved pet.
Claire promptly contacted the Vets Now emergency service for assistance and made efforts to dislodge the stone from Cody’s throat by using techniques similar to those employed for choking toddlers. However, as time was running out, Claire sought immediate professional help.
With her husband’s support, Claire rushed Cody to the Vets Now 24-hour hospital in Belfast, where vet Sasha Burns Fraser examined Cody. Despite the stone being initially undetectable, Sasha’s thorough examination under sedation revealed the stone lodged deep in Cody’s throat, posing a life-threatening situation.
Sasha skillfully removed the stone using forceps, preventing any further harm to Cody. Claire and her family were relieved to bring Cody back home, where he quickly bounced back to his lively self, eager to resume his playful antics.
Reflecting on the incident, Claire expressed gratitude to Sasha and the veterinary team for saving Cody’s life and emphasized the critical role of the doorbell camera in identifying the cause of Cody’s distress.
Vet Sasha emphasized the importance of seeking immediate veterinary assistance if a pet displays unusual symptoms after being outdoors, underscoring the significance of prompt intervention in such emergencies.