HomeNewsDog Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Non-Toy Ball

Dog Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Non-Toy Ball

Beloved crossbreed Pepper narrowly avoided a life-threatening situation after swallowing a foam ball that washed up on Seaton Carew beach. The balls, made from sponge and rubber, are used by EDF Energy’s Hartlepool power station to clean its cooling system. Although they may seem harmless, they pose a serious danger to pets.

Pepper’s owner, Carol Hunter from Billingham, often takes her dogs Pepper and Pickle for walks along the beach. During one of these outings, Pepper unknowingly swallowed one of the foam balls. Carol only realised something was wrong when Pepper became lethargic and started vomiting the following day. Worried, she took her to Clifton Lodge Vets in Hartlepool, where X-rays revealed the bullet was lodged in Pepper’s stomach, Teesside News reports.

Dog Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Non-Toy Ball
The ball retrieved from Pepper (Image: Clifton Lodge Vets)

Emergency surgery saves Pepper

Dr Zoe Dykes, Clinical Director at Clifton Lodge Vets, performed the emergency surgery to remove the bullet. She explained the potential dangers:

“The bullets are made of soft foam, which makes them easy for a dog to swallow. If the bullet had passed into Pepper’s intestines, it could have caused a life-threatening obstruction or damaged her bowel. Fortunately, we caught it early and Pepper made a full recovery.”

Dr Dykes urged dog owners to be vigilant when walking their pets on beaches where the bullets could end up. She advised contacting a vet immediately if a dog shows symptoms such as vomiting or lethargy after a visit to the beach. She also encouraged beachgoers to pick up and dispose of any balls they find to prevent further incidents.

Dog Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Non-Toy Ball
X-ray shows the lodged ball (Image: Clifton Lodge Vets)

EDF Energy responds

EDF Energy has acknowledged the issue, saying it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. A spokesperson said:

“When we are notified of balls washing up on the shore, our teams organise beach walks to collect them. We work with the Environment Agency, local authorities and community groups to ensure proper disposal.”

A cautionary tale for dog owners

Carol expressed her gratitude for the veterinary team’s quick response:

“If I had known these balls had arrived I would have been more careful. Balls are Pepper’s favourite toy and these look so similar. I am grateful to the vets for helping her recover so quickly.”

The veterinary team at Clifton Lodge later shared an article about the incident on social media, which attracted considerable attention from the local community. Many dog ​​owners were unaware of the danger, and Carol hopes this story will raise awareness to prevent similar incidents.

Dog Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Non-Toy Ball
Pepper with her owner Carol Hunter and Clifton Lodge Vets clinical director Zoe Dykes (Image: Clifton Lodge Vets)

Lessons Learned

Pepper’s ordeal highlights the importance of awareness and vigilance for pet owners, especially when traveling to areas where environmental hazards may exist. Thanks to the quick action of her owner and veterinary team, Pepper is now playful again. However, her story serves as a reminder to all pet owners to keep a watchful eye on their furry friends and act quickly if anything seems amiss.

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