Stick Eaters: Warning!

[Retriever Mama]

As the mom of 2 beloved stick consumers I thought I would post a quick note about my co-worker's Rottie, Lexi.

Lexi suddenly came down with really REALLY bad breath. It became just vile. And she was drinking lots of water. After a couple of days of that and a sudden change in her temperment (from crazy run-around playful girl to sullen sleeping in a corner pup) my co-worker decided to take her to the vet. After checking her teeth and gums they inspected her throat...

and found a stick lodged just behind the back of her throat. They were able to retrieve it orally and put her on antibiotics and now she's fine. Totally back to normal. Now Remy has had a stick wedged in his upper palate which I was easily able to pull out, but nothing like this.

Just an FYI for something to look out for.

[Labradorable]

How scary! Dozer likes sticks but we take them away. He has a thing for pinecones too. Yuck!

[HersheyK's Dad]

Great that they were able to extract it orally. Good dog for not getting it to go any further. Just one of the reasons HK no longer gets bully sticks.

[Clanceycanuck]

Crap - how scary

[javasmom]

My brother's choco lab Hunter swallowed a piece of a stick when he was a pup-about 10 months old. It perforated his intestine, causing septic shock and internal bleeding, resulting in a very expensive ($5000) surgery to remove it and patch him up (very large scar the length of his belly). Obviously, it almost killed him.
I NEVER let Java chew sticks....we are vigilant about watching her at all times outside. If she even tries to chew a stick we are right there pulling it out of her mouth.
Very dangerous to let dogs chew sticks.

[MidwestGirl]

Thank goodness all turned out ok!!

[amazongold]

The boys are not allowed to play with or chew sticks - ever.

[AngusFangus]

Yikes! Scary. The boys love to eat sticks.

[3TailsWaggin]

Good post, always check your dog's mouth, throat, if there is a sudden change in breath, etc.

Magnum is my stick girl. She dutifully picks a nice stick (sometimes it's HUGE) from the back pasture and will carry it all the way up to the house where she proudly presents it to her grandma, and grandma proudly displays her stick in a vase on the table.

She rarely chews them, just brings them along as we leave the field.

[vamsi]

Simba had just swallowed a chew stick yesterday and he has been drinking lots of water since then and had evn become dull....do i need to visit vet immediately?