A brave vet in Scotland saved a dog who was choking on his favorite toy in a frightening accident.
Rocco, a three-year-old Doberman, was struggling to breathe after a plastic ball got stuck in his throat. His worried owner, Ray Howell, quickly drove him to the Pet Health Club vets in Aberdeenshire.
By the time Rocco arrived at Mintlaw Vets in Peterhead, he was already slipping into unconsciousness. The vet team worked fast to clear the ball blocking his airway.
Dramatic footage shows the vets removing the ball just in time. Thanks to their quick action, Ray was able to take Rocco home the same day.
Ray shared, “When we met him off the ferry, this purple ball was his only possession. It’s his favorite toy, and he always carries it with him.”
The accident happened while Ray was watching Rocco and the family’s other Doberman, Stella, playing in the garden during his lunch break. Ray explained, “Stella had a ball, too, and Rocco grabbed both of them. When he ran into Stella, the ball got forced down his throat.”
Ray noticed something was wrong when Rocco stood still in a strange way. “I felt a swelling in his neck where the ball was stuck,” she said. “I knew I needed help fast, so I got him in the car and drove straight to the vets. By then, he was only semi-conscious.”
At the clinic, Rocco was sedated while the vets carefully applied pressure to push the ball out of his throat. He was given oxygen to help him recover.
Ray was relieved to bring Rocco home that afternoon and returned the next day for follow-up checks. She said, “It all happened so quickly, but it was terrifying.”
She added, “We always supervise the dogs while they play. Now, Rocco only has balls three times the size of the one he swallowed, so it won’t happen again.”
Holly McKinley, deputy regional veterinary director at Pet Health Club, reminded dog owners to choose toys carefully. She said, “Pick balls and toys that match your dog’s size. Most come with size guides to help.”
“If you’re unsure, pick a toy slightly larger than needed to avoid choking risks,” Holly advised.
She also gave safety tips in case a dog starts choking: “If you see the object in your dog’s mouth, try to gently remove it with your fingers. Be careful not to push it deeper or hurt yourself.”
“If you can’t remove it easily, stop and go to your vet immediately. Never try to remove something lodged deep in the throat yourself, as this can cause more harm.”
“The best action is to get professional help as soon as possible,” Holly said.