Word of Caution

[Moni]

Tonight we had a bad accident and I figured that I'd share it as a warning to others. Zeo was playing fetch with a stick and ended up piercing a hole the size of a quarter, and about 2-3 inches deep into the back of her throat. It also sliced open one of her tonsils. She had grabbed the stick when only one end hit the ground, while she was running. Very scary!

I rushed her to the ER vet, about a 1/2 hour away. They had to put her under and it took about 8 stitches to close it. They also pumped her up full of antibiotics and painkillers. Zeo is home safely now, but is on crate rest, leash walks and canned food until the end of the week when she goes in for a recheck.

We really lucked out since the bleeding stopped by itself, since it appears that many dogs who have these accidents die before they even get to the vets from blood loss. So now, no more sticks for the crew. It's going to be hard, but is much better than losing one of the pups. They have a zillion outdoor toys, but for some reason sticks still seem to be one of their favs.

[RockyMountainDobies]

holy wow thats scary, Im glad she is ok! Yes I agree sticks can be dangerous, I will remember Zeo's accident next time I see them with sticks.

[krb0471]

So glad she is ok! Sending good thoughts for a quick recovery!

[Itsapyr]

OMG how scarey is that. I am so glad Zeo is OK. I saw something like that happen on the Emergency Vet show one night.

[LJL]

So glad you got her to the vet in time and she's on the mend already.

[Swissy Mom]

Scary!! Sticks are a personal fave for Cash, too! Rethinking that now....big time!

[Cole's Mom]

Wow that is so scary. Glad Zeo is ok. Cole is always running around with sticks in his mouth. My first dog (a lab) swallowed a stick sideways somehow and it was lodged in his throat. We rushed him to the vet because we couldn't pull it out is was so far down. He was using his paw and ripping at his mouth to try and get it out. He threw it up before we got there but it was such a scary moment. You feel so helpless. It still upsets me when I think about it. Sending healing thoughts

[ALDOGMOM]

Glad she is okay and on the mend.....
A good warning for all of us..

Neither of my current dogs like sticks but my Raleigh had one in his mouth all of the time...

[Yeti_Girl]

Glad everyone is ok!

[mezmerelda]

Yeah, that's scary. Sticks are definitely a fave w/the Swiss Tards (tm). I'm glad she's on the mend.

[Swissies4Me]

Glad that everything turned out okay.

[Moni]

Thanks for the kind thoughts everyone. Zeo is still pretty out of it and appears to be feeling miserable. Even with the pain meds she's growling and snapping at the others if they go anywhere near her crate. I'd never thought I'd miss her crazy spazziness, but I hope that she's back to her old self in no time.

[ToBScholarly]

how scary! I hope zeo starts feeling normal soon!

[Truman's Mom]

OMD!! I so glad it turned out the way it did. Poor Zeo, feel better soon.

[Moni]

Any ideas on how to keep Zeo occupied on crate rest, without giving her something to chew on? Good news is that she wants to play, bad news is that she has 4-5 more days of crate rest and she's already getting wicked antsy. I think that I might have to ask the vets for some puppy downers...

[NickandNora'smom]

Poor Zeo! I'm glad she's doing better and thanks for the warning. As to how to keep her busy, that's a tough one! hugs to you

[LJL]

Zeo needs one of these for her very own.

[Lora]

Scary!!! glad it ended well... They sell rubber sticks that actually look like stick...Maybe they wouldn't know the difference?

http://www.amazon.com/Grriggles-Purp.../dp/B003HUFP8W

[Moni]

Thanks guys. I'm looking around at similar items. The only problem is my guys like the BIG branches. So, I'm contacting a couple companies and see if they'll consider adding in an 3XL version, like 2-3' long. Doubtful, but it's worth a shot.

[kiahpyr]

Moni I'm so glad Zeo's ok.