A 17-week old puppy had a serious accident on New Year's eve that could have killed her if she were not lucky enough.
The white and caramel papillon named Tutti fell into a knitting needle, which pierced her skin, prompting her owners to bring her to the Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital in Durham.
There, X-ray and ultrasound results revealed that the needle, which was about as long as a ballpoint pen, has actually gone to the heart of the 10-pound puppy and this was causing internal bleeding. The medical team had to sedate the poor dog.
The veterinary team then asked Tutti's owners for their decision on how the foreign object will be removed from the puppy. The needle could either be taken out through surgery, which would require opening the dog's chest, or the needle could be carefully retrieved sans cutting the young canine open.
The owners opted for the second option of just pulling the needle out, which in essence is way cheaper than having the dog undergo a surgery. The object was slowly drawn out.
Veterinary cardiologist Jennifer Myers, who removed the needle from the papillon, related that she placed a hand on the chest of the sedated dog, gripped the needle and then pulled it out. Myers said that the reason the dog survived is likely because the wound only caused limited hemorrhaging.
The procedure luckily went well but although it was successful, the pooch had to stay at the hospital for a while for observation. She was allowed to return home though a day later.
Tutti's owners said that she is recovering well since the needle was removed from her body.
"She's an incredibly lucky girl - she's doing well and is now at home with her folks," the Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital shared on its Facebook page along with the X-ray image of the puppy's internal system where the foreign object stuck. "Let's hope the rest of her year is less eventful."
Pets are known to encounter bizarre accidents or eat things that pose health hazards. Last year, the owners of a Great Dane in Portland brought him to the DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital after their pet exhibited repeated vomiting and retching. The X-ray later revealed what was causing the dog's health problem: the canine gobbled up nearly 44 socks.
