Vet Removes 2 Dozen Socks, Foreign Items From RivCo Pooch's Stomach

CORONA, CA —A Riverside County dog nearly died after digesting 44 items of cloth and clothing, the Corona Animal Emergency Room shared over social media. While it's no laughing matter, it was one of the more unique cases of dog-digestive distress they'd seen, the vets say.

Pet owners rushed their 7 month old Bernese Mountain dog, Luna, to the Corona Animal Emergency Room, suffering vomiting and a firm, distended stomach, the vets posted on Instagram. What the veterinary surgeons found on the x-rays was "jaw dropping," they said.

Luna's gut was filled with a literal laundry-list of items, and more was pulled from the dog's intestines.

• Two-dozen socks,
• a scrunchie,
• hair ties,
• a shoe insert,
• a small onesie lodged in her intestines,
• other partially digested pieces of cloth.

In all, 44 foreign bodies were recovered from inside the dog's digestive system. This was a "serious obsession" with eating cloth, the doctors say.

"Gastronomy cleared her stomach, and Enteronomy removed the onesie that had caused an intestinal obstruction.

"Against all odds, Luna's pulled through and is now wagging her tail again!"

On the Bernese Mountain Dog website, authorities suggest that the dog has picky eating habits, and may have a tendency to eat non-food itemsin their puppy phase.

"This can include things like socks, shoes, or even small household items. It’s important to keep a close eye on your Berner and provide plenty of appropriate chew toys to satisfy their natural urge to chew," that website says.

Those in the know have agreed on the Corona Animal ER Instagram page, saying that having one of the large breed dogs eat items that are not food is not wholly unusual, however the sheer number of items Luna ingested was startling, several social commenters admitted.

According to the vet, Luna’s story is a reminder to trust your instincts, as a pet parent.

"If you notice vomiting, lethargy, or a firm abdomen, don’t wait—act fast and contact your vet," they wrote on social media. "Prevention is key, but we’re here for emergencies twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

"Thank you to Luna’s family for trusting us with her care, and to everyone who has followed her journey and sent love her way. She’s one special pup, and we’re honored to have been part of her story."