Name: Missy
Age: 16 weeks
Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier
Gender: Female
At just 16 weeks old, Missy was a typical, inquisitive puppy. When she suddenly became unwell, it was a real change from her usual self.
Her family first noticed she had lost interest in food, even turning away from her favourite hot chicken. For Missy, that was unusual.
Missy also seemed tired, her gums looked pale, and she had vomited three times, bringing up yellow bile.
For a young puppy who was usually interested in everything around her, this was a clear change.
“A puppy refusing their favourite food can tell you a lot. Owners know what is normal for their dog, and a sudden change is worth paying attention to.”
There was another important clue. Earlier that morning, Missy had been spotted with a small rock in her mouth. She spat it out, but with her age and sudden symptoms, we needed to consider if she might have swallowed something else as well.
During her examination, we also found a small piece of timber in her vomit, adding another clue.
All these details together made us concerned that Missy might have swallowed something she shouldn’t have. We recommended abdominal X-rays to help us find out more.
The X-rays showed two unusual objects sitting in Missy’s small intestine.
This changed things quickly. A swallowed object can get stuck in the digestive tract and cause a blockage, which can become very serious if not treated promptly.
With two objects already in Missy’s intestine and concern about a possible blockage, we recommended emergency exploratory surgery.
“With a suspected foreign body, we’re not only interested in what they swallowed. We need to know where it is and whether it could cause an obstruction.”
Missy was admitted to hospital for surgery that same evening.
We placed an intravenous catheter and gave her fluids and medication before she went into surgery.
During surgery, we found exactly what the X-rays had suggested: two rocks inside Missy’s intestines. We were able to remove both rocks during the procedure.
This was an important reminder that the rock Missy’s family saw her spit out that morning was not the whole story.
Missy recovered well after her surgery and stayed in hospital for close monitoring as she began to heal.
Her family noticed something was truly different and reached out for help. That gave us the chance to investigate her symptoms, find the foreign objects, and step in before things became more serious.
Sometimes the change is dramatic. Other times, it can be as simple as a puppy who usually loves food suddenly refusing even her favourite treat.
Knowing what is normal for your own dog is so helpful when something changes.
Puppies explore much of their world with their mouths. What starts as carrying or chewing can sometimes end with something being swallowed.
Rocks are just one example. Puppies may also swallow toys, socks, sticks, or other household objects.
Missy’s story shows why it helps to mention anything unusual you have seen your puppy chewing or carrying. Even something they seem to spit out can be an important clue.
If your puppy suddenly stops eating, starts vomiting, seems tired, or you think they may have swallowed something unusual, it is best to reach out for advice rather than wait and see.
“If a puppy suddenly stops eating and starts vomiting, especially when you suspect they may have been chewing something they shouldn’t, don’t just wait for it to pass.”
Your pet’s needs change as they move through life. A young puppy needs different care than an adult dog, and older cats often benefit from a closer look as small changes start to show.
We’re here for dogs and cats at every stage, from prevention and routine health checks to diagnostics, surgery, and gentle support in later years.
Seeing your pet regularly helps us learn what’s normal for them and spot changes early, so we can step in when it matters.
Everyday care covers consultations, health checks, vaccinations, desexing, dental care, support for senior pets, microchipping, weight checks, and advice on nutrition.
These visits are also a good time to talk about smaller concerns, like changes in appetite, movement, behaviour, or anything else you’ve noticed at home.
Sometimes, a physical exam isn’t quite enough to get the answers we need.
We offer diagnostic imaging, in-house pathology, orthopaedic surgery, and care for more complex health concerns.
What happens next depends on your pet, what we find, and the kind of care they need.
Puppies learn so much in their first months, and it’s a key time for building good habits and confidence.
Our puppy preschool gives young dogs and their families a gentle start, with early learning in a supportive setting. It’s a great way to build helpful habits right from the beginning.
We know that unexpected vet visits can put pressure on the family budget.
We can help with pet insurance claims and offer payment options that may make things easier for eligible clients. What’s available will depend on your insurer or payment provider.
It’s not always easy to know when a change in your pet needs a closer look.
Our pet advice answers common questions that come up when you notice something different at home, like vomiting, diarrhoea, bad breath, or changes in weight.
Vomiting and diarrhoea can happen for many reasons. Understanding the other signs your pet is showing can help determine when a veterinary assessment may be needed.
Persistent bad breath may be more than an unpleasant smell. Changes inside the mouth can sometimes indicate dental problems that need closer examination.
Weight changes can affect more than how your pet looks. Monitoring weight and body condition can provide useful clues about their overall health.
Vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy can all be warning signs if a dog has swallowed something they shouldn’t have. Missy showed all three, along with pale gums, after possibly having access to rocks.
The fact that she had been seen with a rock in her mouth provided important additional context for her symptoms.
If you know or suspect that your puppy has swallowed a rock, it is best to contact your vet for advice rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen. A swallowed rock can act as a foreign body and may cause a blockage.
Missy was investigated after becoming lethargic, vomiting and refusing food.
Yes, that is possible. Missy was seen with a small rock in her mouth and spat it out, but abdominal X-rays later revealed two suspicious objects in her small intestine.
During surgery, our vets confirmed that she had swallowed two rocks.
Abdominal X-rays can help us investigate if a foreign object has been swallowed. In Missy’s case, her X-rays showed two unusual objects in her small intestine.
Those findings, together with her symptoms and history, helped guide the decision to proceed with surgery.
In many cases, yes. A swallowed rock, as in this example, can become lodged in the digestive tract and may cause a blockage. If not treated promptly, a blockage can become very serious.
Concern about the development of an obstruction was one reason emergency surgery was recommended in Missy’s case.
Surgery may be recommended when a foreign object is in the intestine and there is concern about a blockage developing. In Missy’s case, her X-rays showed two unusual objects in her small intestine, so we recommended emergency exploratory surgery.
Surgery then allowed us to find and remove both rocks.
Recovery depends on each individual patient and their circumstances, so one puppy’s outcome cannot predict another’s. Missy recovered well after both rocks were removed and was closely monitored in hospital afterwards.
Her story also shows the value of promptly investigating symptoms.
Puppies are naturally curious and often explore objects with their mouths. This can sometimes lead them to swallow things like rocks, toys, socks, sticks, or other household items.
Careful supervision helps, but it is also important to act if you notice vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or think your puppy may have swallowed something.
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