By Adam Dutton
A hungry puppy had a close shave and needed life-saving surgery after he swallowed a razor blade.
Charlie, a five-month-old English bull terrier, was rushed to the vets on New Year’s Eve after he wolfed down his owner’s shaving kit.
Staff at Teme Veterinary Practice in Ludlow, Shrops., initially waited 24 hours to allow the razor to pass through him naturally.
When nothing happened, vets gave Charlie an X-ray which confirmed the 1.5in (39mm) blade was lodged in his gut.
Charlie went under the knife and following a two-hour operation, vets were able to remove the blade without it cutting his internal organs.
Incredibly, Charlie was discharged hours after coming around and was well enough to return home the same day.
A spokesperson for Teme Vets said: “We think Charlie’s New Year’s resolutions should start with not eating things he shouldn’t.
“His owners had thought he’d eaten a razor blade and plastic cover and contacted us straight away, however, due to the risk of making him sick due to the object, we waited until the next day where this would then definitely be in the stomach if he had eaten it.
“X-rays confirmed the owners’ suspicions, so Charlie had emergency surgery to remove it as it was the only option.
“He recovered really well from his surgery and went home the same day. Our nursing team has seen him since, and we can report he is back to his cheeky self and full of beans.”
Vet charity the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) urged pet owners to keep sharp objects away from animals.
A spokesperson said: “Never wait to see if a problem develops – your dog could become very ill or even die without treatment.
“You know your dog – even if you’re not quite sure whether they have eaten something harmful, if you’re concerned, it’s always best to contact your vet.”
