When Luna’s family noticed she had stopped eating and seemed unusually sluggish, they rushed the 7-month-old pup to the vet – who was shocked by what he found hiding in her stomach.
A family in California became deeply concerned when their Luna – a 7-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog – suddenly stopped eating, grew increasingly lethargic, and showed signs of discomfort.
Worried and heartbroken, over Luna’s rapid decline, the family took her to the Corona Animal Emergency Center, where vets tried to diagnose the cause of the puppy’s unusual slothfulness.
“She came to us after her family noticed she was vomiting and had a firm, distended abdomen,” the clinic writes in a Facebook post, describing Luna’s nausea and swollen belly.
What they thought might be a stomach bug or mild infection turned out to be something far more dangerous.
Vets stunned
After performing an X-ray on the puppy, the vet quickly noticed something alarming – Luna’s stomach was filled with foreign objects, and her intestines were dangerously blocked. Emergency surgery was immediately scheduled, and what the veterinary team discovered inside left everyone stunned.
Luna had been swallowing objects that did not belong in her body.
Tasty textiles
The poor puppy had been slowly filling her stomach with household items – and it was making her gravely ill.
During the operation, the vet team carefully removed the mass of foreign objects from her digestive tract – a shocking assortment of items from Luna’s belly, including a baby onesie “that had migrated into her intestines, causing a partial obstruction.”
The hospital staff was left in disbelief at the sheer volume – and nature – of what the young pup had swallowed.
Following the surgery – a gastronomy for the stomach and an enterotomy for the intestines – the clinic detailed the surprising items pulled from Luna’s belly:
- 24 socks
- A Hair scrunchie
- Hair ties
- A shoe insert
- Miscellaneous pieces of cloth
The onesie was removed from her intestines during the enterotomy.
“Against all odds, Luna pulled through and is now wagging her tail again!” the clinic shared.
Pica
The incident highlights a condition known as pica, where dogs compulsively eat non-food objects.
It can be caused by stress, boredom, or medical issues and often goes unnoticed until symptoms become severe.
According to PetMD, “some dogs will consume any non-food item they come in contact with,” while others are pickier and “will choose the same type of item every time.”
“Pica is typically considered a psychological, obsessive-compulsive habit, but it can be the result of a medical condition or poor nutrition…Ingesting these items can be very dangerous and it puts your dog at risk for toxicity, choking, stomach upset, or even a life-threatening gastrointestinal blockage,” PetMD explains.
‘Act fast’
Meanwhile, the medical team at Corona is warning pet parents to monitor their animals for any sudden behavioral changes – and to keep small or chewable household items safely out of reach.
“Luna’s story is a reminder to trust your instincts. If you notice vomiting, lethargy, or a firm abdomen, don’t wait – act fast and contact your vet,” the team at Corona writes on Facebook, later adding that it’s crucial “pet parents understand the risks of foreign body ingestion and the importance of acting quickly.”
The clinic adds, “She’s one special pup, and we’re honored to have been part of her story.”