Luna’s Extraordinary Appetite: California Vets Stunned by Dog’s Sock-Filled Stomach
Veterinarians in California experienced a truly unforgettable case when they discovered the stomach of a young Bernese Mountain Dog filled with a staggering number of foreign objects during an emergency surgery. Luna, a 7-month-old puppy, was rushed to the Corona Animal Emergency Center in Corona, California, approximately 50 miles east of Los Angeles, exhibiting alarming symptoms that included vomiting and a noticeably firm, distended abdomen. The animal center shared Luna’s incredible story in an Instagram post that quickly gained widespread attention.
The severity of Luna’s condition prompted the veterinary team to immediately prepare her for surgery. Dr. Jenny Elwell-Gerken and her team braced themselves, but what they encountered upon opening Luna’s stomach exceeded all expectations. It was as if they had stumbled upon a hidden treasure trove of household items. Nestled within the puppy’s distended stomach were an astonishing 44 objects, a collection that included 24 socks, a small onesie, a hair scrunchie, two hair ties, a shoe insert, and a puzzling assortment of 15 miscellaneous cloth pieces.
The sheer volume of items was astounding. X-rays taken before the surgery clearly depicted the mass of foreign objects crammed into Luna’s stomach. "We all laughed at how big the stomach was," Dr. Jenny remarked in a phone interview with USA TODAY. "It was bigger than any stomach I’ve ever seen that was full of things." The experience was a mixture of disbelief and focused determination to help Luna.
The surgical procedure itself was complex and required Dr. Jenny to perform both a gastrotomy, to open and clear Luna’s stomach, and an enterotomy, to address an intestinal obstruction caused by the onesie. The onesie had unfortunately travelled further down the digestive tract, causing an obstruction that could have proven fatal if left untreated.
Dr. Jenny surmised that the items had likely been ingested relatively recently. She estimated that Luna had consumed the majority of the socks on the day of the emergency and the onesie the day before. The quick action of Luna’s owners was crucial in preventing potentially irreversible damage to her intestines. "However, the items were stretched enough in the intestinal system that there would’ve been some pretty significant damage to those intestines had her parents not taken swift action," Dr. Jenny explained. "It was crazy."
Luna’s owners had been aware of her penchant for eating socks, but they were typically passed without incident. It was only when Luna’s abdomen became hard and distended that they realized the severity of the situation and sought immediate veterinary care. Had they waited any longer, the consequences could have been dire. "It probably would not have taken that much longer before we started to have some pretty serious damage to the intestine, so I’m glad they caught it when they did," Dr. Jenny stated.
The surgical team, led by Dr. Jenny, worked diligently for approximately 45 minutes to remove all the foreign objects. Fortunately, Luna’s intestines were in relatively good condition, and the onesie hadn’t progressed too far down the digestive tract. Dr. Jenny described the surgery as "fairly straightforward" in typical cases. The usual approach involves a thorough examination of the abdomen to assess the situation before proceeding. However, due to the sheer number of items and the extreme distension of Luna’s stomach, Dr. Jenny and her team opted to begin by directly addressing the stomach.
"There were so many, and it (the stomach) was so stretched that it took several minutes to pull out all the things," Dr. Jenny recounted. The sheer volume of objects required the use of sterile spoons to reach the deeper corners of Luna’s oversized stomach. Once the stomach was cleared, it quickly began to shrink back to its normal size. Dr. Jenny then carefully closed the stomach before addressing the intestinal obstruction caused by the onesie.
"It was a crazy surgery for sure," Dr. Jenny exclaimed. "All the staff watching me pull out thing after thing was fairly entertained." The unusual nature of the case provided a moment of levity amidst the serious situation. Fortunately, the story had a happy ending. "All’s well that ends well and Luna pulled through against all odds and is now wagging her tail again!" the center announced on its Instagram post.
Dr. Jenny saw Luna for a check-up and was thrilled with her recovery. "She is doing great," Dr. Jenny reported. "She’s bouncing off the walls like nothing ever happened to her." Luna’s resilience and quick recovery were a testament to the skill of the veterinary team and the early intervention of her owners.
While foreign body ingestion is a relatively common occurrence in dogs, Dr. Jenny emphasized that Luna’s case was exceptionally rare. "The hospital gets cases of pets with foreign items in their bodies all the time," Dr. Jenny explained, "most of them are nowhere near this." Typically, such cases involve a single sock or a small toy. Dr. Jenny even mentioned occasionally removing more unusual items like peach pits. "Removing foreign body obstructions is common in dogs," Dr. Jenny said. "But I’ve never seen this many in my entire career."
The Corona Animal Emergency Center used Luna’s extraordinary story as an opportunity to educate pet owners about the importance of vigilance and prompt action. The center urged owners to be mindful of their pets’ behavior and to seek immediate veterinary attention if they notice any signs of illness, such as vomiting, lethargy, or a firm abdomen. "Luna’s story is a reminder to trust your instincts," the center stated. "If you notice vomiting, lethargy, or a firm abdomen, don’t wait—act fast and contact your vet. Prevention is key, but we’re here for emergencies 24/7."
Luna’s tale serves as a potent reminder of the potential dangers that lurk in even the most seemingly innocuous household items. While prevention is always the best approach, knowing when to seek emergency veterinary care can make all the difference in ensuring a positive outcome for our beloved furry companions. Luna’s story, though bizarre, underscores the dedication of veterinary professionals and the unbreakable bond between pets and their owners.
