BOSTON, April 24, 2015 – A five-year-old Doberman named “Mocha” is on the mend after devouring nearly three wrist watches—bands, metal and all—which resulted in a two-day stint last week at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, the organization announced today.
Angell doctors credited the quick thinking of Mocha’s owners, who rushed the beloved canine to the animal ER immediately after discovering bits and pieces of the watches on the floor of their home.
Mocha was admitted on April 16 and endured a three-hour endoscopic procedure which allowed the medical team to determine how much material was in her belly—and the best way to remove it. The team was able to remove some of the leather from Mocha’s stomach using the endoscopy instruments, then took a “wait and see approach” with the rest.
“We basically allowed nature to take its course and, over a period of several days, Mocha eliminated another pound of broken leather straps, buckles and various other metal pieces,” said Dr. Zachary Crouse. “We were especially cautious and wanted to avoid surgery—given her history,” he said.
Not Mocha’s First Visit to the Animal ER
Mocha’s visit followed an August 2014 incident in which she swallowed a plastic juice container lid, which caused an intestinal obstruction that required emergency surgery to resolve. Her devoted owners, Michele Parkinson and Jeff Courcelle of Salem, Mass., took no chances this go-round.
“We brought her to Angell as soon as my husband saw the broken watch pieces, even though she was showing no symptoms whatsoever,” said Michele, who works as a nurse in the hematology department of a major area hospital.
“I was extremely concerned that she would need another surgery—and worried about the long-term impact such a procedure could have, given that she’d already had a foreign body surgically removed not even one year ago. Fortunately, she was able to pass most of the material on her own,” she said.
Mocha came back to Angell on April 20 for a re-check appointment. An x-ray showed that six small pieces still remain, but should pass in due course without surgical intervention.
“Mocha dodged a bullet for sure and I credit her owners for getting her straight to the hospital,” said Dr. Crouse. “This could easily have turned into a life-threatening situation if they had delayed.”
Mocha will continue her recovery at home, under the watchful eye of the family who adores her. “One thing’s for sure: we’re going to do everything we can to keep anything remotely ingestible out of her reach,” said Michele. “It’ll be a challenge—but one that we are committed to!”
For more information about Angell Animal Medical Center’s Emergency and Critical Care Services click here.
