One morning in St Petersburg, Florida, Luna the Chihuahua went for her usual garden stroll but soon darted under the bed, making strange throat movements.
Her owner, Carolyn Knight, tried the Heimlich manoeuvre. Luna was breathing, but something wasn’t right.
Urgent vet visit
Rushed to the vet, Luna underwent examinations, but nothing conclusive appeared. Back home, she refused to eat and began hiding. As her condition worsened, vets recommended exploratory abdominal surgery, but the cost was too high.
In tears, Carolyn was offered an impossible choice: surrender Luna to a rescue that could fund her treatment.
Carolyn agreed, and Jaime McKnight of Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue took Luna in. She continued vomiting and weakening.
Surgery was carried out, but it found nothing. A specialist review of further scans finally revealed the truth: a mango stone lodged sideways in Luna’s throat.
Emotional reunion
It was a race against time. Luna was rushed to a specialist for emergency endoscopy. The stone was removed, and she recovered quickly, eating again that same evening.
Carolyn was heartbroken without her, but never gave up hope. With support from the rescue, she met the requirements to adopt Luna back. Two weeks later, they were reunited.
The story moved many online and left the veterinary team in tears.
