Our male English Mastiff, Ingo, swallowed a small toy dog on 10 March 2026 when no one was watching. What initially seemed almost impossible quickly became a serious veterinary emergency. Thanks to prompt treatment and the successful endoscopic removal of the toy, the story fortunately had a happy ending.
Dog Swallowed a Toy – Acting Quickly Was Crucial
Once it became clear that Ingo had indeed swallowed the small toy dog, we drove straight to our vet. An initial attempt to induce vomiting was unsuccessful. We were therefore referred to a veterinary clinic for further treatment, where the foreign object was to be removed as gently as possible.
Anxious Hours at the Veterinary Clinic
At the veterinary clinic, an anxious wait began for us. Our greatest hope was that the toy dog could be removed from Ingo’s stomach endoscopically, avoiding the need for more invasive surgery. Our relief was immense when we finally received the news that the procedure had been successful.
Ingo Was Able to Return Home
Thanks to the successful endoscopic removal, major surgery was avoided. Ingo was able to return home after the treatment and recover in his familiar surroundings. After those anxious hours, we were simply relieved and grateful to have him back with us.
The Most Important Lesson We Learnt
Although we always make sure that our dogs have suitable toys, this incident made it very clear once again just how quickly a small object can become a serious danger. Toys for large dogs should therefore be large enough, durable and suited to the strength of the dog’s bite. Small toys should never be left within reach when the dogs are unsupervised.
We are sharing Ingo’s story not to frighten anyone, but so that other dog owners can learn from our experience. If a dog has swallowed a foreign object, or there is reason to suspect that it may have done so, veterinary advice should be sought immediately.
You can find more articles about health, development and everyday life with the English Mastiff in our Mastiff Guide.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Dr BG Stanislav Stoyanov veterinary practice in Hermeskeil, Mrs Zender and the team at Tierklinik Trier, where Ingo received further treatment. Their swift and dedicated response made it possible to remove the swallowed toy dog successfully and avoid major surgery.
Grateful That Everything Turned Out Well
Today, we are simply relieved that Ingo came through this dangerous incident safely. The small toy dog remains a powerful reminder of how quickly an unobserved moment can turn into a genuine emergency.
Ingo was able to recover peacefully at home – and since then, we have been even more careful to ensure that only sufficiently large and durable toys are kept near our Mastiffs.