Essex woman's dog almost dies after choking on a ball

Krystal Holdsworth, 32, from Sible Hedingham, was walking her 15-month-old dog Rocky like any other normal day.

The walk almost turned to tragedy after the German Shepherd got a ball lodged and stuck in the back of his throat.

Krystal said: “We were just on our normal walk, when after chewing a ball, he ran around really weirdly.

“I ran over and saw the ball was stuck right in his throat.

“The ball is just bigger than a tennis ball, and I tried absolutely everything to get it out.

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Krystal injured herself in the process, with Rocky biting down on her hand due to fear.

After unsuccessfully being able to retrieve the ball, she feared the worst.

She said: “My hands became weaker due to the injuries, but I was running on adrenaline, I needed to do everything to save him.

“I couldn’t give up because it is like your baby.

“I called my friend who lives nearby and he arrived within five minutes.

“But Rocky was limp, he wasn’t moving, his eyes were glossy, I was sobbing and screaming.”

Krystal’s friend Darren arrived and managed to get the ball out, before beginning to resuscitate the animal.

After what Krystal claimed ‘felt like a lifetime’, Rocky began breathing on his own once again.

Injuries - Krystal tended to her hand after Rocky regained consciousness

Rocky was taken to the vets and they said he was going to be fine.

Krystal, 32, from Sible Hedingham, was given bandages for cuts and bruises along with antibiotics.

Now, she is trying to make dog owners aware of what can happen when playing with their favourite toy.

Hazard - The ball was around the size of a tennis ball

She said: “I know dogs love to play with balls and I would never want anyone to stop.

“The message I’m trying to give is to make it safer.

“Make sure the ball has vent holes, get a rope on the end, anything.

“I have changed to a much bigger ball, and I just want to educate people using my story, it was the scariest day of my life.”

Rocky is now slowly on the mend with only a sore throat.

Rocky: The German Shepard almost died on what was supposed to be a normal walk