Puppy gets emergency surgery after swallowing metal badge

Six-month-old Ori wolfed down the 3-inch-long yellow shield after it fell off a school sweatshirt at his home — sparking a desperate dash to the vet.

The playful Schnoodle-Springer Spaniel had to be rushed in for urgent surgery before the jagged edges could cause devastating damage inside him.

Owner Andy Rowley said: “The pin at the back of our daughter Darcie-May’s badge came away and the main front bit fell to the ground.

“The kids shouted that Ori had picked it up and chased him to get it, but he swallowed it before they could stop him.

“I was hoping he hadn’t actually eaten it and was turning the sofa over and hunting everywhere, but there was no sign.

“It was just as well the kids had seen him swallow it, because if we didn’t realize it was in him I think the damage could have been catastrophic.”

The family rushed Ori to Moorview Referrals in Cramlington, Northumberland, where X-rays showed the badge lodged in Ori’s stomach just millimeters from his vital organs.

Veterinary surgeon Vio Doran said: “When we did X-rays we could see the badge really clearly

“It was in his stomach and because it had very sharp points it could have caused a lot of damage to the stomach and esophagus.

“If there was a rupture there was a real risk of further complications, so we had to act quickly.”

Ori was rushed in for emergency surgery and vets were able to safely remove the badge before it sliced any of Ori’s internal organs.

After staying overnight for observation, Ori returned to the family’s home in Cullercoats, North Tyneside.

Mom Samantha said: “It was such a scary time, and the kids were so upset.

“Ori is our first dog, and we were all worried we were going to lose him.

“Leaving him at the hospital felt like leaving a newborn baby, but everyone was so lovely and they did an amazing job.

“He’s become quite a character in Cullercoats after people heard what happened.”