The danger of throwing sticks for your dog

[Vetonlines]

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Whilst throwing sticks for your dog can appear like a great form of play, it can lead to injuries that I've seen too many times. Sticks can get impaled into a dog’s throat, and whilst this may just cause minor wounds, some dogs will suffer life-threatening injuries such as lacerations of the vital structures within the neck as well as multi-resistant bacterial infections.

Dogs with stick injuries can present acutely with blood-tinged saliva, pain and reluctance to eat; or can be seen weeks/months following the initial injury with swelling and abscessation of the face and neck.

I recommend not throwing sticks when playing with your dog in order to avoid these life-threatening injuries. If you and your dog enjoy this type of activity, vets recommend using safer alternatives such as dog-friendly frisbees and rubber sticks.

Contact Vetonlines if you would like to have more information on alternative dog-friendly toys. In addition, if you suspect that your dog may have a stick injury, seeking veterinary attention as soon as possible can be life-saving.

Vetonlines

 

[excuseme]

Once upon a time, somewhere about 48-50 years ago (ish)
My husband had his first dog. She went to work with him daily.
There were times when my husbands boss would play with the dog by throwing sticks for her. (a very speedy Springer Spaniel)
My husband had asked his boss not to throw sticks for the dog as he could see how dangerous it could be. His boss ignored his request and a stick was caught at one end as it landed. Needless to say the stick went down the dogs throat.
A visit to the vet was needed and stitches were required.
Luckily the dog recovered with no further complications.

Please DON'T throw sticks for dogs !! It really can be dangerous.
.

 

[Feverfew]

Yep. Many years ago, when I was a vet nurse at the PDSA, a red setter was brought in who had run into a stick that had fallen upright in muddy ground. It had gone through the roof of her mouth and she had to be put to sleep. So no sticks!

 

[Montysdad]

Same thing happened to Monty when was a pup, happily running round with a stick in his mouth pointing forward,
tripped up and it jammed into the roof of his mouth,after very expensive and mainly useless treatment,they said
it was a minor injury and just gave antibiotics.If angle of entry had been slightly different result could have been lethal.
Training my new dog not to touch them but its a long job