A PUPPY needed emergency surgery at a Hampshire vets after swallowing a button battery.
Labrador Warrior was rushed to St Peter’s Vets in Petersfield, where X-rays showed the battery had travelled through his stomach and into his intestines. 
Vet Laura Gallagher treated Warrior and said button batteries are dangerous if swallowed and can cause serious internal burns.
Laura said: “All batteries are potentially harmful if ingested, but button batteries pose an extra risk as they can leak caustic substances when they come into contact with saliva or digestive juices. Warrior was at risk of the battery burning a hole in the wall of his intestine, which could have led to life-threatening peritonitis, and the best course of action was to perform surgery to remove the battery.
“We made an incision in Warrior’s abdomen, but although the battery could be seen clearly on the X-ray, it proved tricky to find because it was so tiny. My colleague had the brilliant idea to use a sterile magnet to locate the battery within Warrior’s intestine. The magnet attached to the battery and, once located, we were able to guide the magnet through and out of his intestines.
“Retrieving the battery this way was a better option because we didn’t need to make a surgical incision into Warrior’s intestine, reducing the risk of complications. He made a good recovery and was able to go home the next day. He’s very lucky that his carer was vigilant and contacted us as soon as she realised the battery was missing as it helped prevent him becoming really unwell.” 
Warrior is a trainee assistance dog with charity Hounds for Heroes, which trains dogs to assist armed forces and emergency services personnel with disabilities.
His trainer, Lauren Butcher, said Warrior is a typical Labrador and is always on the look out for something to eat.
Lauren said: “His puppy parent Eimear has two young children and the battery Warrior swallowed was in a toy that came in a party bag. Eimear had put the toy on the dining table, but Warrior managed to reach it when she was out of the room, and when he played with it, the batteries it contained fell out. When Eimear realised one of the batteries was missing, she contacted the vets straight away.
“We are so grateful to the team at St Peter’s Vets for the care they showed Warrior. Hounds for Heroes currently has 17 dogs in training and they will all have been to St Peter’s Vets at some point for vaccinations and routine treatment. The veterinary team is amazing and very caring and we can’t rate them highly enough.”
Article by Jo Browne, PR & Communications manager (South), email: jo.browne@vetpartners.co.uk