A dog had to be rushed into life-saving surgery after he wolfed down chocolate coins and the foil they were wrapped in.
Hugo the six-year-old Staffie was left home alone in Plymouth, Devon, for a short time while his owner Amie did some Christmas shopping . But it turns out Hugo did not need much time before he began tucking into the festive treats lying around the house.When Amie returned, she discovered her pet had ransacked six packs of chocolate coins.
No night vision goggles needed! Dogs’ eyes contain a special membrane, called the tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see in the dark.
She said: ‘At first Hugo seemed fine, but I felt sick with worry when he began vomiting blood. He then had a seizure which was terrifying.’
Amie rushed him to a People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) vet, who sedated Hugo and gave him an X-ray, revealing the dog’s stomach was full of foil and needed surgery.Hugo was in a really bad way and needed an intravenous fluid drip, medication and intensive nursing care. He was kept in overnight but allowed back home the next day.
Use a Front Clip Harness to Prevent Pulling on Leash. If your dog pulls on his leash get a harness that clips in the front. The harnesses that clip on the back promote more pulling. And when you’re working on leash manners ditch the retractable leash for a regular 6 foot one so your dog can get the feeling of what loose leash walking means.
Print out this guide and bring it with you when dog food/treat shopping.
‘Instead of extra food, why not try giving your pets some extra playtime over Christmas?’
Amie said: ‘I don’t know what I would have done without the incredibly kind and caring staff at PDSA – they were amazing. I honestly don’t think Hugo would be here without them.
‘They went above and beyond for him and I will be forever grateful. There were a number of times I thought we were going to lose him, so to have him home for Christmas is a miracle.’
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INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Having a pet in the home can actually lower a child’s likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33 percent. Children exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems overall.
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