While examining the X-rays of Edward's broken leg, the medical team immediately spotted a major anomaly in his digestive system. Nash McCutchen, the rescue's marketing director, explained: "Our vet discovered foreign bodies in both his stomach and his colon. While the object in the colon could pass naturally, the one in the stomach posed an immediate fatal risk if it moved into the intestines."
The image showed an irregular and very dense metallic shape lodged deep inside the little dog's stomach. The team had no choice but to perform emergency surgery to save his life, postponing the treatment for his leg.
An 18-carat gold necklace!
The operation was a success, and the team got a huge surprise when they opened up his stomach. The mysterious object was none other than an 18-carat gold necklace with a star-shaped pendant. The greedy pup had swallowed a truly valuable piece of jewellery.
Shared on Facebook by the rescue centre, the story quickly racked up hundreds of likes and dozens of amused comments. Many users joked that Edward had found a novel way to pay his vet bills: "Now you can sell it to pay for the surgery. It's like an automatic refund!" one user quipped.
A closely monitored recovery
Although the sparkly object was removed in time, Edward's medical journey is far from over. The little dog is also suffering from severe anaemia. He's too weak to undergo two major operations back-to-back, so he must wait for his blood count to improve before the vets can amputate his injured leg.
Despite his ordeals, Edward's spirits remain high. He is described as a cheerful dog who loves going for walks, has an excellent appetite and is no longer in any pain. Pampered by the volunteers, the little "gold prospector" is calmly preparing for the next stage of his treatment, before he can be put up for adoption.