Vet removes 50cm toy arrow from puppy's stomach
An X-ray showing the arrow that Bruno had swallowed.
A PDSA veterinary team has provided life-saving care to a puppy that swallowed a 50cm plastic toy arrow whole.
Bruno, a four-month-old cane corso, came into his house retching after playing in the garden with another dog.
Owner Stacy Duff wasn’t sure what was wrong, but thought he may have something stuck in his throat. She phoned Manchester PDSA Pet Hospital and was told to bring him in straight away.
At the hospital, the veterinary team X-rayed Bruno and discovered the extent of the toy he had swallowed.
Caragh Kelleher, a PDSA veterinary surgeon, said: “The toy arrow that Bruno swallowed was so long it extended from his throat all the way to his stomach.
“It needed to be removed quickly as there was a high risk it could pierce through his stomach wall, causing a life-threatening infection. It may also have caused a blockage in his stomach, which would have been fatal if left untreated.”
Because of the danger posed by the arrow, the team performed emergency surgery and the arrow was safely removed. Bruno returned home with medication and antibiotics after an overnight stay.
Ms Duffy said: “Bruno is our big baby, he’s a gentle giant really - he’s so soft with everyone. He’s quickly become a massive part of our family and I couldn’t imagine life without him.”
PDSA provides free and low-cost veterinary care. Last year it treated more than 430,000 pets. The charity is currently running a Christmas appeal, Save a Star, to help fund its work.
Dr Kelleher said: “We don’t receive government funding, so any amount can help us to save a star like Bruno.”
More information about the Save a Star appeal can be found here.
Image © PDSA
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
