A popular pet toy almost killed a black labrador after it was lodged in the dog’s stomach – and left the owner with a whopping £3,500 vet bill.
Businessman Nigel Huxley, 55, from Cheshire, had bought his dog Parker a Webbox Mega Meaty Serrano Ham Bone as a treat.
But just two days later Parker started ‘panting excessively’ and was ‘extremely distressed’.
Mr Huxley rushed him to the vets, who found the bone was stuck in Parker’s stomach.
It was wedged in so firmly they ‘thought they were going to have to crack his rib cage open to remove it’, the father-of-two revealed.
Parker the black labrador was taken to the vets after he became ‘extremely distressed’, lethargic, and was ‘panting excessively.’
The Webbox serrano ham bones which Mr Huxley purchased
An X-Ray image of the bone which became lodged in Parker’s stomach
He said the dog bone’s bad design caused the ‘absolutely horrendous’ ordeal – that left him wondering if Parker would even survive.
Thankfully, the labrador pulled through.
However, Mr Huxley said he was scared it could happen again and was worried the next owner may not be so lucky.
The father-of-two said he would usually buy the product from a local pet shop but after they had run out he opted to try out a different treat for Parker.
The part of the bone which was lodged in Parker’s stomach
Mr Huxley called for the Webbox dog treat to be recalled from major retailers
He bought the bone made by Webbox, whose website said it made ‘quality-driven, ethical and mindful pet products, that promote health and wellbeing’.
Mr Huxley thought the problem was caused as the meat was ‘much bigger than the actual small knuckle’.
While he admitted there was a disclaimer warning not to leave a pet alone with the treat, he said this was ‘impossible’ for most owners.
Mr Huxley has called for the dog treat to be recalled to protect other dogs from following Parker’s ordeal.
He said: ‘I want assurances that these will not stay on the shelves. I think it’s disgusting.’
MailOnline has contacted Webbox for comment.
