Anyone who’s ever cared for a dog knows the hope of giving them a long, healthy life filled with comfort and love.
But that journey isn’t always smooth, especially when medical issues make treatment expensive and complicated.
That was the reality for Zippy. Adopted as a senior, he already had health concerns.
So when his owner noticed a troubling new symptom, she didn’t hesitate. She headed straight to the vet to find out what was wrong.
A Hidden Cause Behind The Coughing
Given Zippy’s condition, most would assume he had pet insurance. But that wasn’t the case.
Michelle, his owner, had never purchased coverage. Because of Zippy’s heart condition, insurance wouldn’t cover the treatments he needed.
And with veterinary costs already high in California, Michelle decided it wasn’t worth paying for a plan that wouldn’t help.
Then Zippy began coughing persistently, and Michelle couldn’t figure out why.
She took him to a clinic in California, hoping for answers.
There, the veterinarians made a surprising discovery: Zippy had a foreign object lodged inside him.
At first, they believed he might pass it naturally within a few days. But Michelle didn’t want to take that risk. Concerned about his heart, she and her partner chose to act quickly.
The vets attempted to induce vomiting, but it didn’t work. They proceeded with an endoscopy, which proved successful.
The culprit? A small rock. That tiny object had triggered all the coughing.
The procedure cost $6,000. Michelle later shared the experience on TikTok.
The Internet Reacts
The video quickly gained traction. It reached 948,000 views, nearly 150,000 likes, and sparked a wave of comments.
One person commented: “That is the face of someone who has not learned his lesson and will absolutely do it again.”
Dogs often repeat behaviors, even when we try to prevent them.
Another person said: “My pups rock cost 3200 bucks thank God for pet insurance. I got reimbursed 80%.”
While insurance can be helpful, it’s important to understand what it actually covers.
And lastly, somebody commented: “I’m shocked that it required a vet visit, it looks small and smooth enough to pass through. Guess I need to watch my dogs closer haha.”
And they had a point. Keeping an eye on what dogs pick up is crucial, as unexpected objects can lead to serious health issues.
In Zippy’s case, everything turned out well. His story resonated with many and brought smiles to those who could relate.