What A Lucky Duck

By Kay Hisano | Dated May 27, 2025

Fifteen-week-old Ripley, a spirited Boxer x Staffy pup, gave her owners quite a scare recently when she began vomiting and became unwell. Concerned, they rushed her to the emergency clinic, where veterinarians could feel a suspicious object in her abdomen—highly suggestive of a foreign body causing an intestinal obstruction.

Ripley arrived at Gordon Vet for surgical intervention the following day. But when Dr. John examined her the next morning, things had taken an unexpected turn. The once-palpable obstruction was no longer detectable. As he began to wonder where it had gone, Ripley answered the question herself—by passing diarrhea… and a pink, fabric toy which is her toy duck’s foot!

To everyone’s relief, Ripley had managed to pass the foreign object on her own, avoiding the need for surgery. She bounced back quickly, returning to her usual playful, tail-wagging self and heading home as if nothing had ever happened.

While Ripley was very lucky, not all pets are. Fabric toys, socks, and other household items are common culprits when it comes to gastrointestinal obstructions in young dogs. These can lead to severe complications and often require surgery—especially when accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal pain. This case is a timely reminder for pet owners to keep small or chewable items well out of reach of curious pups. And if your dog does show signs of illness, early veterinary attention can make all the difference.