Charlie's on the mend after wire removed from his stomach

A MUCH-LOVED family dog whose life was put at risk by a piece of wire lodged in his stomach is back home and thriving after surgery.

Charlie, from Leicestershire, had become lethargic, was refusing food and was showing signs of abdominal discomfort.

His owners took him to their local vet who, after an initial assessment, performed x-rays and found a metal object in his stomach. An urgent referral was made to Dovecote Veterinary Referrals, in Castle Donington, a leading referral hospital serving pets across the East Midlands.

On arrival at the hospital, Charlie was admitted for emergency care. The team at Dovecote, led by Justine Barton, a recognised advanced practitioner in small animal medicine, initially carried out digital gastroscopy, using a camera to look inside the stomach.

No foreign material could be found but luckily, advanced imaging (CT scanning) was also available and this revealed the cause of the pain - a piece of wire lodged within the wall of his stomach, something that had never been reported before. 

Wire foreign bodies are particularly dangerous because they can pierce and lacerate the abdominal organs, causing severe internal haemorrhage, infection, and even death if not treated.

Under the care of Dovecote’s advanced surgeons and anaesthesia team, Charlie underwent an exploratory abdominal procedure to locate and remove the wire. 

He was then placed in the hands of the practice's experienced team of nurses for monitoring and recovered well, meaning he was able to go home the same day.

Dr Chris Morris, a recognised advanced practitioner in small animal surgery, who performed the operation, said: “Charlie’s case was an example of how the whole team with differing areas of expertise (medicine, imaging and surgery) can work together to bring a successful outcome for our patients.

"Seeing Charlie recover and go home happy is why we do what we do."

Charlie's owner, Miss Swaffield, said: “Chris was amazing with the whole process, we had a rocky few days before being referred trying to get to the bottom of it but he reassured me and always made sure that Charlie's health was priority.

"His kindness is something I will not forget as it was incredibly traumatic for us at that time period. Charlie is recovered now and loving his long walks and runs with his battle scar.”  

Charlie’s story is a reminder to all pet owners that household hazards can pose serious risks. Wires, strings and other small objects can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed.

Anyone whose pet shows signs of vomiting, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain, should contact their vet immediately as early action can make all the difference.