Written by Dr Elle Burton-Bradley, The Village Vet
Presenting Complaint: Ingestion of Gravel and a Rock
Chip, a beautiful 10-month-old Labrador, was brought to The Village Vet after his grandparents saw him eating gravel and suspected he had swallowed a medium-sized rock. Labradors are renowned for their curious and often indiscriminate appetites (especially as puppies), which puts them at higher risk for foreign body ingestion.
Initial Assessment
On presentation, Chip was bright, alert, and still cheerfully looking for things to eat. His vital signs were stable and abdominal palpation showed no signs of pain or distress.
However, radiographs (X-rays) revealed a significant amount of gravel within his stomach and intestinal tract.
Understanding the Digestive System
This diagram shows the major organs involved in digestion. The stomach and intestines are where swallowed objects can cause blockages.
X-ray Findings
Purple circle – rock
Orange arrows – gravel in stomach and intestines
Blue arrows – gas in intestines
Yellow dotted line – outline of stomach
Green dotted line – outline of small intestines
White dotted line – outline of large intestine
Initial Treatment
We first induced emesis (vomiting) under controlled conditions, which successfully brought up a large quantity of gravel. Follow-up radiographs showed that while most gravel had been expelled, the larger rock remained lodged in the stomach.
Our next step was to determine whether endoscopic retrieval or surgical removal was the safer option. Given the rock’s size and shape, we were concerned it could not be grasped or retrieved endoscopically. Chip’s owners opted for surgical removal via gastrotomy.
Surgical Intervention
Chip was taken to surgery for a gastrotomy, a procedure where the stomach is carefully opened to remove the foreign object. Although it was a little fiddly, the rock was successfully retrieved without complications. The stomach and abdominal wall were closed routinely, and Chip recovered smoothly from anaesthesia.
Dr Elle and Dr Giné during Chip’s surgery to remove the rock.
Recovery and Outcome
Chip recovered exceptionally well after surgery. He was monitored closely for post-operative complications and discharged with pain relief (and strict instructions for no food for 24 hours—which he thought was the worst part!).
At his follow-up visits, Chip was bright, eating normally, and back to his playful self. His owners are keeping a much closer eye on his outdoor adventures now, ensuring he sticks to food-safe snacks only.
Discussion
Foreign body ingestion is a common emergency in young dogs. Particularly in breeds like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, known for their curious nature and love of chewing. Objects such as rocks, socks, toys, balls, and bones can cause serious gastrointestinal obstruction or even perforation if not treated quickly.
Early veterinary assessment and imaging are key. Some objects can be removed non-surgically via vomiting induction or endoscopy, but in cases like Chip’s, surgical intervention is necessary. Prognosis is excellent when treated promptly by an experienced veterinary team.
Takeaway for Pet Owners
Supervise puppies closely, especially outdoors.
Keep small or chewable items out of reach.
Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pet has eaten a non-food item.
If You Suspect Your Dog Has Eaten Something They Shouldn’t
Foreign body ingestion can escalate quickly—so don’t wait for symptoms to appear. If your pet has swallowed something unusual, please contact our team at The Village Vet right away.
We have clinics conveniently located in Pymble and Killara, providing expert care for foreign body emergencies, dog surgery, and gastrointestinal issues across Sydney’s North Shore.
📍 Pymble Veterinary Clinic – (02) 9499 4010
📍 Killara Veterinary Hospital – (02) 8350 5678