08/08/2026
🌽 When a tasty snack turns into an emergency... 🌽
On Thursday, 6-year-old Staffy Tyson was rushed into our Community Animal Hospital after several days of vomiting, lethargy and just not being himself.
On examination, our veterinary team found Tyson was very sore and tender through his abdomen. Knowing he has a reputation as a bit of a household scavenger, our vets recommended taking X-rays to see if something he shouldn't have eaten was causing the problem.
We're so glad they did.
There on the screen was the unmistakable outline of the culprit... a corn cob! 🌽
It turns out Tyson had taken the opportunity over the weekend to sneak a corn cob from his little human brother's plate when no one was looking. It may have seemed like a delicious treat at the time, but corn cobs can quickly become a life-threatening emergency for dogs.
Tyson was taken straight into emergency surgery for an exploratory laparotomy, where Dr Nat worked her magic to carefully locate and remove the obstruction from his intestines.
The best news? ❤️ Tyson returned today for his post-operative check and is already feeling so much brighter! His family are incredibly relieved to have their cheeky boy back on the road to recovery.
⚠️ If your dog has eaten a corn cob, treat it as a veterinary emergency. Corn cobs cannot be digested and can easily become lodged in the stomach or intestines, causing a life-threatening blockage. Prompt veterinary attention is essential, as emergency surgery is often required to remove the obstruction and save your dog's life. If you suspect your dog has eaten a corn cob, don't wait for symptoms to develop... contact your veterinarian immediately.
We're wishing Tyson a speedy recovery... and hoping he sticks to dog treats from now on! 💙🐾
