Two hooks were stuck in the puppy's stomach. (Kentdale introduction via SWNS)
Written by Douglas Whitbread, via SWNS
A greedy hunting dog narrowly escaped death after swallowing two baited fishing hooks while on a walk with his owner.
Kaite, a 7-month-old Labrador, had a lure lodged in his stomach just above his heart and required an extremely dangerous three-hour surgery to remove it.
After seeing a long fishing line hanging from the puppy's mouth, the shocked owner initially took the puppy to a local veterinarian.
And worrying X-ray images later revealed how two hooks, each with three prongs, were lodged inside the hybrid's body.
Surgeon Graham Hayes, of Kentdale Referrals in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, continued to perform complex chest surgeries in the hope of saving lives.
Thankfully, Kaite survived after being carefully unhooked from his vital organs. His owner said it was a “miracle” that he came out unharmed.
They said: “Kite is now back to normal and it truly feels like a miracle.
“The only evidence that anything happened is the scars on his chest and belly, but thanks to Graham's amazing surgical skills, even that is barely noticeable.
Kaite, a 7 month old dog. (Kentdale introduction via SWNS)
“We are so grateful for everything Kentdale has done for us. Kentdale saved our beautiful son and we cannot thank them enough.”
Kaite's owner said he was taking his puppy for a walk when he heard Kaite's heartbreaking cries and ran to the dog.
And after examining the young dog, before realizing what had happened, they shockingly saw a fishing line hanging from his jaw.
They said: “We heard Kayte coughing and screaming and saw a fishing hook hanging from his mouth.
“The kite swallowed a baitfish that had two treble hooks wrapped around it, and one of the hooks got stuck in his esophagus. We were very worried.
“Kite was seven months old at the time and there was a strong possibility that he would not be able to complete the procedure due to the position of the hook.
“Also, if Kaito made it through the surgery, we didn't know what kind of aftercare he would need.
“We didn't know if the treatment would affect Kite's quality of life going forward, even if he went home.”
Kentdale Referrals managing director Toby Gemmill explained how surgeon Graham Hayes saved the injured mongrel's life.
(Kentdale introduction via SWNS)
“The procedure Graham performed to remove these hooks was difficult and required opening the abdomen and chest cavity at the same time.
“Kite’s sternum, or sternum, was opened to the level of his heart and his diaphragm was cut open.
“The esophagus next to the heart was opened and the tissue was carefully lifted out of each prong.
“After this, the esophagus was wrapped in abdominal tissue to aid healing, and finally the hook was removed from Kaite's stomach and removed with a tangled thread.
“Surgery on the esophagus carries a relatively high risk of healing problems, leakage, and stricture formation (narrowing due to scar tissue), and after surgery, the esophagus should be bypassed and resting, to minimize the risk of complications. A tube was placed in Kaite's stomach.
Kaite was cared for by a veterinarian for about two weeks before being released, but now his owner is warning other pet lovers about the dangers of discarded fishing hooks.
Additionally, “Kite stayed at Kentdale for 12 days and they took care of him like his own pet. The whole team was amazing.”
