Knitting needle removed from N.C. puppy's heart

DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Veterinarians in North Carolina said they were able to successfully a knitting needle that pierced the heart of a 17-week-old papillon puppy.

Jennifer Myers, a veterinary cardiologist at Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital in Durham, said Tutti the 10-pound puppy's owners brought her in on New Year's Eve with the needle protruding from her chest and told Myers the dog had fallen onto the object at their Durham home.

Myers said X-ray and ultrasound images showed the needle had pierced Tutti's heart.

She said the owners were given two options: have the needle surgically removed, or have it carefully pulled out by the vets.

Myers said the owners opted for the less-invasive pulling option, and the object was pulled out with "consistent, gentle traction."

The veterinary cardiologist said Tutti was able to survive her injury because it caused only limited hemorrhaging.

"Once she woke up from anesthesia, she was a very sweet little dog," Myers said. "Really, she woke up and was looking around. She wanted to be held and cuddled."

The dog was able to return home the following day.