Great Dane Eats 43.5 Socks

A Great Dane who ate 43.5 socks was home one day after surgery, and earned the veterinarian second place in an X-ray contest.

A 3-year-old Great Dane ate 43 socks and was saved by surgery. Photo coutesy of Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Portland.

The DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Portland performed the surgery on the Great Dane, who arrived at the clinic repeatedly vomiting.

The examination showed a severely distended stomach, and a DoveLewis vet performed exploratory surgery, said Shawna Harch, the communications specialist with the clinic.

And what an exploratory surgery.

Nearly four dozen socks were removed from the 3-year-old Great Dane, who recovered so quickly he was home the next day.

“Whether it’s an anxiety thing when they’re missing their owners and the smell of the person on the clothing attracts them, or they’re mad, who knows. But we do remove articles of clothing often from dogs, but this certainly is a record holder,” said DoveLewis Staff Surgeon Ashley Magee.

That record earned the clinic the $500 second place prize in the 2014 X-Ray Contest Winners from The Veterinary Practice News. 

Staff said the money will go to their Velvet Assistance Fund, which helps low-income families pay for veterinarian emergencies.