Dog swallows metal flag post, lives to chew again

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It was late in the evening when the owners of Blue, a 12-week-old grey Pit Bull with sad brown eyes and a curious nose, found that he had somehow swallowed a garden flag post.

"They were terrified," said Dr. Caroline Rehm. The owners tried unsuccessfully to pull the black metal post out of Blue's throat, but because of his gag reflex, Blue kept swallowing the post and it worked its way deep in his stomach.

"Blue was gasping. He was agitated... He couldn't breathe," said Dr. Chris Rehm.

The owners, who declined to speak to FOX10, rushed Blue to Rehm Animal Clinic on Hillcrest.

Lucky for Blue's owners, Rehm Animal Clinic takes cases until midnight.

Dr. Caroline Rehm said, "Blue was going to die, but the owner wanted us to try and save him."

Rehm said the surgery took about 90 minutes, and her only thought was that the dog was not going to make it. They used bolt cutters to break off a crossbar from the 15 inch shaft, which prevented Blue from completely ingesting the post.

"Had he swallowed it. He would have died," says Dr. Chris Rehm.

However, because the 15 pound pup is young and strong, he tolerated the surgery better than most, according to Dr. Rehm.

"What's really important is that the owners got Blue in here quickly," said Dr. Rehm.

During surgery, Dr. Caroline Rehm saw lots of bruising inside Blue's stomach, but fortunately, there were no perforations of the stomach.

Blue is now on antibiotics and resting comfortably.

"Once we get him healed up, he's good to go. He's already eating again, and matter of fact, I bet he's ready to swallow something else," said Dr. Chris Rehm.