Dog’s tongue nearly cut in half after getting stuck in a rubber ball

A beloved dog nearly lost her tongue after getting it stuck in a rubber ball (Kennedy News/Foxhall Veterinary Clinic)
A beloved dog nearly lost her tongue after getting it stuck in a rubber ball (Kennedy News/Foxhall Veterinary Clinic)

A ‘traumatised’ couple are warning against leaving pets unattended after their dog nearly lost her tongue when she got it stuck in a plastic ball.

Poppy was left with huge chunks on either side of her tongue missing when the tissue turned necrotic due to restricted blood flow. Owners Helen and James Hartley rushed her to the vets in Ruskington, Lincolnshire, after her tongue was left dangling from a single thread of flesh earlier this month.
Surgeons at the Foxhall Veterinary Clinic stitched up Poppy’s tongue and are now sharing her story to highlight the dangers of leaving pets unattended. Helen and James thanked the vets who helped their dog ‘from the bottom of our hearts’ and said: ‘It was really traumatic for us all.’
PIC FROM Kennedy News/Foxhall Veterinary Clinic (PICTURED: POPPY WITH 'CHUNKS' OF HER TONGUE MISSING AFTER GETTING IT STUCK IN A BALL) A 'traumatised' couple are warning dog owners about leaving pets unattended after their beloved pooch's tongue was nearly cut in HALF by getting stuck in a rubber ball toy. Graphic images show poor Poppy with huge chunks of each side of her tongue missing after the tissue turned necrotic due to restricted blood flow earlier this month. Due to the injury Poppy was unable to eat or drink properly, so owners Helen and James Hartley brought her into Foxhall Veterinary Clinic in Ruskington, Lincolnshire. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266
Poppy’s tongue had huge chunks missing from each side (Kennedy News/Foxhall Veterinary Clinic)
Helen said: ‘She’s been so well loved by everybody at the surgery and we couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated team.

‘Poppy sends sloppy kisses.’

The couple had returned home from work to find Poppy with her tongue stuck in a plastic dog toy rubber ball.

Put a ball in your dog's food bowl if he or she eats too fast. They be forced to move the ball around to get to all the food.

They managed to wrestle the ball from her month and tongue but noticed her acting strangely and that she was unable to eat or drink.

Vets noticed the front half of Poppy’s tongue was very swollen and had a red line from the ball, but she seemed otherwise fine.

She was given medication and booked in for daily check-ups.

But during the next few days, the red on Poppy’s tongue turned into bruising which started to smell foul and develop white pus.

PIC FROM Kennedy News/Foxhall Veterinary Clinic (PICTURED: POPPY'S TONGUE SHOWING WHERE THE TISSUE HAD TURNED NECROTIC) A 'traumatised' couple are warning dog owners about leaving pets unattended after their beloved pooch's tongue was nearly cut in HALF by getting stuck in a rubber ball toy. Graphic images show poor Poppy with huge chunks of each side of her tongue missing after the tissue turned necrotic due to restricted blood flow earlier this month. Due to the injury Poppy was unable to eat or drink properly, so owners Helen and James Hartley brought her into Foxhall Veterinary Clinic in Ruskington, Lincolnshire. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266
The vets who saved Poppy’s tongue warn of the dangers of leaving pets unattended (Kennedy News/Foxhall Veterinary Clinic)

The flesh on her tongue eventually turned necrotic and died, leaving Poppy with two giant slits on either side where the ball had been.

During surgery all the dead tissue was removed and Poppy’s tongue was stitched back together.

A Foxhall Veterinary Clinic spokesperson said: ‘The surgery was successful and our nurses couldn’t believe it when Poppy ate and drank as soon as she woke up.

‘We’re happy to report that Poppy’s tongue has pretty much healed now, she is using her tongue normally to drink and can still give plenty of kisses.

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‘The stitches are in place but will eventually dissolve.

‘We’ve all grown very attached to Poppy here at Foxhall and we will miss her daily visits.

‘Poppy’s owners wanted us to share her story to highlight the dangers of leaving your dog unattended with toys, no matter how innocent they seem.’