Marley takes the biscuit

23 December 2019

PDSA vets save Marley from festive fiasco

A seven-year-old Labrador needed a lifesaving operation after gorging on over 30 home-made gingerbread Christmas tree decorations. Marley got himself in a real knot by also gobbling up the ribbons attached to them!

Marley’s chances of survival looked so poor that his owner, Rachael Bulmer (37), from Bournemouth, had prepared to say goodbye to her much-loved pooch. But following two lifesaving operations, and thanks to the skill and care of the PDSA veterinary team, Marley miraculously survived his ordeal just in time for Christmas.

Rachael said: “I had been baking gingerbread tree decorations, and left them in gift bags on the kitchen counter side, ready to give as Christmas treats. I thought I’d left them safely out of reach, but when I noticed some were gone, I instantly knew who had taken them.

“Over the years Marley’s been no stranger to eating things he shouldn’t and usually they pass through. But this time he started acting strangely and looked like he was going into shock. He was violently sick and brought up some of the ribbon.”

Rachael called our PDSA Pet Hospital in Bournemouth, who told her to bring Marley in straight away, where vets rushed him into emergency surgery.

It took three hours in theatre to remove the 34 decorative ribbons attached to the Gingerbread tree decorations, which were causing a potentially fatal blockage. During the operation, they found Marley had also wolfed down bones, which had become lodged in his stomach!

PDSA Vet said: “It was a lengthy, high-risk surgery. Marley’s chances of surviving the night were looking poor, so he was transferred to the out-of-hours provider, Vets Now, so he could be cared for overnight. Thankfully he pulled through but needed critical round-the-clock care for four days before he could go home.”

Owner Rachael continued: “There were so many times we thought that was it, and with the heaviest of hearts, we were preparing to say goodbye to him. But he kept on fighting, and somehow, made it through surgery– he really is our miracle dog!”

While he’s not completely out of the woods yet, Marley is now at home in strict cage rest, and is on the road to recovery.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the incredibly kind and caring staff at PDSA – they were phenomenal. They went above and beyond for him and I will be forever grateful. We’ve not moved from his side now he’s finally at home and even sleep next to him at night. He’s getting better and that’s the best Christmas present I could ever want.”

So far, Marley’s life-saving treatment has cost PDSA over £2,000, only possible due to the public’s kind donations, as PDSA doesn’t receive any government funding.

We are encouraging other pet owners to keep festive decorations and festive foods well out of reach of their pet’s paws this Christmas.

Christiana said: “It’s important that owners make sure decorations and toxic Christmas foods are safe from curious paws, as they can be incredibly harmful to our pets. Foods including mince pies, chocolate, onions, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, sage-and-onion stuffing and Christmas cake can all be fatal.”

“Keep an eye out for signs including vomiting, diarrhoea, drinking excessively, shaking and restlessness. It’s best to contact the vet as soon as you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, rather than waiting for symptoms."