Family BBQ Turns Costly After Dog Swipes Corn Cob
A Harrogate mother has described her family barbecue as the 'most expensive ever' after her hungry dog swiped a corn on the cob that became lodged in his stomach, resulting in a £5,000 veterinary bill.
Alicia Atkinson, 35, along with her husband Alex, 34, and their two children, decided to enjoy the first sunny weekend of the year by hosting a barbecue in their garden on April 3rd. As part of the meal, Alicia prepared four corn on the cobs, which were the only vegetables her four-year-old would eat.
After cleaning up and discarding the nibbled cobs, the family discovered that their two dogs, cocker spaniel Ted, six, and springer spaniel Milly, eight, had raided the bin and scattered its contents across the kitchen floor. When Alicia realised three of the four cobs were missing, she panicked, knowing the potential danger.
Rushing to the vet, she paid £500 for medication to induce vomiting. Initially, it appeared the problem was resolved, as three pieces of cob were found in the vomit. However, four weeks later, Ted stopped eating and developed an upset stomach. An ultrasound revealed a blockage, and emergency surgery uncovered another piece of corn on the cob lodged in his stomach.
The surgery cost £4,500, with insurance covering £2,000, leaving Alicia with a £2,500 out-of-pocket expense. In total, the vet bills amounted to £5,000.
Alicia said: 'It was the first time this year we'd had decent weather, so we had a BBQ. When we came downstairs, we noticed the dogs had been in the bin. I couldn't find the cobs anywhere. I Googled and it said it was a medical emergency.'
The vet explained that the cob must have split when Ted swallowed it, and it was a miracle he survived with it in his stomach for four weeks. For smaller dogs, such a blockage can be fatal.
Alicia has now banned corn on the cob from her home and fitted child locks on the bins. She warns other pet owners about the dangers of corn cobs, avocado stones, and chicken bones, which can cause intestinal blockages. 'You need to be really considerate about where you're placing your rubbish,' she said. 'Bin it and put it in your outside bin straight away.'
According to Vets Now, corn on the cob is indigestible for dogs and can cause life-threatening blockages if swallowed.
