The owners of canine internet sensation Puggy Smalls came close to losing him when he stopped breathing after an operation.

Nick Ettridge and Charlie Osman, from Cranbrook, took Puggy to the vets after he began limping on his rear right leg, but after complications set in, a vet told them 'things were on a knife edge.'

What was initially thought to be a stubbed paw soon escalated into a neurological problem.

Puggy had suffered with a vestibular disease caused by an ear infection last year resulting in him losing his ear canals to fight the infection; losing his hearing as a result.

It became clear that the same infection was causing Puggy's new neurological symptoms and he was scheduled for surgery at the Ralph Veterinary Centre, in Marlowe, Buckinghamshire.

The operation was a success and Puggy was later discharged to Nick and Charlie on Saturday, February 5

His owners and did not have Puggy home long when things took a downhill turn.

Nick and Charlie said: "We were home for five minutes before the real nightmare began. We rushed him back to the emergency vets but his complications were getting worse and worse. He was literally fighting for his life.

"We were told Puggy was on a knifes edge.

"They attempted to stabilise him with oxygen, a breathing tube and meds, but at 1am we got a call that Puggy deteriorated even further and stopped breathing."

The couple were told the dog had been resuscitated and was in a coma, with the next 24 - 48 set to be critical.

But there was joy when a temporary tracheostomy helped Puggy's respiratory system to recover and he even managed his favourite food - shredded chicken.

The complications came at a heavy cost again to the engaged couple. The initial surgery was settled to cost £9,000 but more than £4,000 extra was needed to care for Puggy's declining situation.

This was on top of £14,000 raised last year to help the pooch after his eardrums burst.

The owners again reached out to Puggy's followers to help raise the funds. They set up a GoFundMe page for his care and support flooded in.

Puggy Smalls boasts more than one million followers across all social media platforms with many wanting to help his cause.

Nick and Charlie said: "The chorus from around the world, offering their support, during this ordeal has just been amazing. He has been getting gifts from everywhere around the world."

"People even held vigils for him and though we are not religious people we definitely felt the support from everyone."

Puggy Smalls is now finally at home after having his tracheotomy removed and breathing independently.

Nick and Charlie said: "The relief having him home is just incredible and now things are going back to normal.

The seven year-old pooch is now doing well.

Charlie said: "He's doing a lot better than I thought. The real problem is trying to get him to stay calm and not push himself because he is such a big personality he just wants to be with everyone."

Puggy's journey to recovery can be followed by looking up thepuggysmalls on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.