Ruth Dalton with Gizmo the Yorkshire terrier who needed an operation after swallowing a kebab stick. Picture: Roger Vaughan

by Rebecca Hughes

A tiny terrier bit off more than he could chew - when a kebab stick got stuck in his stomach.

Five-year-old pet Gizmo ate the kebab along with its 9cm skewer after sneaking the food off a plate at a family barbecue.

Not long after, he became unwell and developed a huge abscess on his side.

His owner Ruth Dalton, 46, who lives in Rochester, took him to a vet who eventually discovered the skewer - which had migrated from his stomach to the muscles between his ribs, putting him at major risk.

Jennie Keen, head nurse at the PDSA PetAid Hospital in Gillingham Business Park, said Gizmo had been extremely lucky.

"The stick was actually wedged in the muscles between the ribs but it could have easily have punctured a lung, or led to him developing a life-threatening peritonitis," she said.

Gizmo had a life-saving operation and PDSA is now warning any other owners planning a barbecue to take extra care.

Ms Keen added: "Make sure the food remains of the barbecue are put in sealed bags and put into a very secure bin. You'd be amazed at what pets can get into if they can smell those lovely barbecue juices."

Gizmo has since made a good recovery and was due to have his stitches removed this week.