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Couple pay £1,000 to have rubber duck removed from pet dog's stomach
A Leeds couple own a very expensive rubber duck after paying £1,000 to have it removed – from their pet dog's stomach.
Colin Smith and Lorraine Fenton became worried when six-year-old Spike fell ill.
X-rays at the local vet revealed he had gobbled whole the duck he had pinched from the bathroom.
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Patterdale terrier Spike is now back to full health, but the couple's bank balance is still recovering after the treatment cost them 1,060.
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Print engineer Colin, 52, and civil servant Lorraine, 46, noticed six-year-old Spike had become sluggish and lethargic and vets at Hutchinson, Dunlop and Baird in Wetherby were puzzled until an x-ray it showed a perfect outline of the duck in Spike's stomach.
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The toy posed a life-threatening risk to Spike as it had lodged itself within his small intestine, making it impossible for any food or water to pass through.
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Spike underwent a gruelling hour long operation.
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Vet Sylvie McQuire said: "When we first saw the x-ray we couldn't help but laugh about it. But after the surprise we knew he had a really risky operation to go through."
Colin said: "The operation was very expensive but we didn't even think of the cost at the time – you just pay whatever you have to. I think it must be Britain's most expensive rubber duck. We kept it as a memento.
It used to be yellow but Spike's stomach h stripped away its colour.
"It took him a couple of days to get back to himself but he's fine now, you'd never know anything had happened to him. "
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Friday 25 May 2012
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