Does your dog like to pick up a stick while out and about? The PDSA is warning pet owners of the hidden dangers of dogs playing with sticks.
The charity’s warning comes after a one-year-old dog needed emergency treatment after biting onto a stick that he grabbed while playing with his owner.
English Bull Terrier Cross Scooby received treatment at Portsmouth PDSA Pet Hospital when disaster struck whilst enjoying time in the garden with his owner, Louise.
Louise said: “We were playing together in the garden, and Scooby loves to jump up. All of a sudden, Scooby jumped up to snatch the stick and disaster happened.” The stick got stuck in the roof of Scooby’s mouth.
Louise continued: "Blood started pouring from his mouth and began to pool on the floor. He didn't even yelp or cry out in pain, he just went quiet and withdrawn. I scooped him up and took him inside straight away."
While the bleeding appeared to come to a stop, Louise was very concerned and contacted the team at PDSA for help.
Scooby had a lucky escape and was able to go home with an anti-inflammatory pain relief injection and further medication. He returned home to his family and made a full recovery.
Following the incident, Louise stops Scooby from playing with sticks and keeps an eye out for any in the garden.
PDSA warns dog owners about the hidden dangers of playing with sticks
PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing spoke on the dangers of sticks: “Chasing and playing with sticks might seem like lots of fun for your dog, but many owners are unaware of the horrible injuries they can cause.
Recommended reading:
- RSPCA urges Brits to adopt pets instead of buying as centres hit 'breaking point
- Has your dog's wee been damaging your garden? Here are 4 ways to save your lawn
- Do you need to microchip your dog and what happens if you don't?
“Sticks can impale your dog if they get lodged in the ground after being thrown or cause nasty cuts in the mouth and throat which can bleed a lot, as well as longer term problems from splinters.
“In the worst-case scenario, should a stick impale your dog, the injury could be fatal.
“It’s difficult to watch our dogs all the time but we should try to encourage them to play with pet friendly toys instead.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel