Ember makes a remarkable recovery after swallowing a sewing needle

A six-month-old kitten named Ember is back home and recovering well after a dramatic visit to Animal Trust Vets in Ibrox, where a sewing needle was discovered lodged in the back of her throat. 

Ember’s owners brought her to the clinic after noticing she was coughing. Upon examination by Dr Gethin Edwards-Jones, supported by Yasmin (Registered Veterinary Nurse) and Rachael (Veterinary Care Assistant), the team identified the foreign object. An X-ray confirmed the needle’s location, and Ember was sedated so the veterinary team could carefully remove it. 

Thanks to swift action and expert care, Ember was discharged just a few hours later with anti-inflammatory medication. She is now recovering comfortably at home. 

Tamzin, Ember’s owner, said: “Seeing Ember choking and then realising she had a needle stuck in her throat was the scariest moment of my life. We rushed her to Animal Trust while I was crying and shaking. The staff were amazing — they acted fast, explained everything, and comforted us the whole way. We’re so grateful she’s home and recovering!” 

Dr Gethin Edwards-Jones added: “Cases like Ember’s show how important it is to seek veterinary advice promptly when something seems off. A sewing needle in the throat can cause serious complications, but thanks to quick intervention and teamwork, Ember is now on the mend.” 

Animal Trust Vets Glasgow

Animal Trust’s mission is to make high-quality veterinary care accessible to every pet owner, regardless of financial circumstances. As a vet-led social enterprise, the organisation focuses on removing barriers to treatment through transparent pricing and a commitment to delivering care based on clinical need. Our wider goal is to ensure pets receive timely, compassionate treatment while supporting vets to focus fully on patient care.

Animal Trust Vets Glasgow is the organisation’s first Scottish clinic, located in Ibrox. It offers a full range of general practice veterinary services, including consultations, vaccinations, dentistry, preventative healthcare, diagnostics, and both routine and advanced surgery. The clinic is equipped with on-site X-ray, ultrasound and laboratory facilities, allowing many cases to be investigated and treated under one roof.

The Glasgow team operates with no eligibility criteria for registration, meaning all pet owners are welcome. This reflects the organisation’s core mission of affordability, inclusivity and improving access to veterinary care across the UK.