08/08/2025
🐾 Happy Friday story time at Bay East! Last week, an owner called about her 3-year-old Doberman Pinscher, Gunner, who shockingly devoured her entire Michael Kors purse—leaving only a few leather scraps (despite it sitting in reach at home for weeks with no prior interest)! 💼 Radiographs (photo 2) revealed the purse lodged inside, and despite Dr. Skaletski’s efforts to induce vomiting, it wouldn’t move. She suspected it was blocking Gunner’s lower esophageal sphincter—a vital valve between the esophagus and stomach—which can cause life-threatening issues like choking, gastric rupture, or even perforation if obstructed. Surgery was critical, his owner's quick action helped ensure that the foreign body hadn't caused any significant damage to his stomach. Dr. Skaletski skillfully extracted every shredded piece (photo 5) of the purse. Meet the happy survivor, Gunner (photo 4), now recovering beautifully! 🐕🦺
Did you know? This behavior, called pica, can strike unexpectedly as dogs may eat non-food items due to curiosity, stress, or even a sudden whim—sometimes with no obvious trigger! Leather or fabric can cause blockages, infections, or internal damage. Watch for signs like gagging, drooling, vomiting, or lethargy, and contact us immediately if you suspect ingestion. Even long-accessible items can become targets, so stay vigilant! 🧐
