Chris BrowneDog owners are being warned about the dangers of throwing sticks for their pets after a playful cockerpoo got one stuck in her throat during a game of fetch.
Miika, a four-year-old from Baildon, West Yorkshire, needed an operation to remove the 14cm stick which became lodged in her mouth on an evening walk last month.
Her owner Chris Browne said Miika, who is “99% spaniel”, found the stick on a walk but “screamed in pain” when she ran towards it so hard that it snapped in her mouth.
Baildon Veterinary Centre, which treated Miika after the accident, shared her story to caution owners not to let their pets play with sticks.
They said in a Facebook post: “This is the lovely Miika, her owners have kindly let us share her story to warn others about the dangers of sticks.
“Miika managed to get this huge 14cm stick stuck in her neck after running onto it.
As you can see from the second picture she has had an operation to remove it and is now on the mend. She is learning to give up her stick obsession! Please don’t throw sticks or allow your dog to chew sticks.”
Miika was seen by a vet at the centre immediately after the incident on 19 August, but the stick was lodged so far in her mouth it could not be seen.
She was given pain relief and antibiotics but when she was still in pain three weeks later, Mr Browne returned to the vets and they referred Miika to Swift Referrals in Wetherby so they could carry out a CT scan.
The scan revealed the stick had become lodged behind her soft palette, and was removed the same day.
Baildon Veterinary CentreMr Browne said: “She always has been a very lively dog and just good fun.
“I took her for a walk on the local school field and she found this twig that was a good 15mm in circumference.
“I threw it for her, but when she caught it she screamed – and it was a horrible noise.”
He said: “I went to see if she was alright, and I found half of the stick but I couldn’t find the other half. I just thought, it could have snapped and been flung anywhere.
“I sat and consoled her for 10 minutes then walked her home, but as soon as we were home all she wanted to do was sleep and I thought, that’s not Miika.”
Chris BrowneMr Browne said at Swift Referrals, Miika was scanned and he was told she had “a big stick down her throat”.
He said: “They did the operation there and then. She was very sad for herself, but once she got home, it took about one night’s sleep and she woke up the following morning wanting to play.
“She is dancing around like an idiot now, like she was before, it was just that four week period when she had this stick stuck in her throat that nobody knew about where she was miserable and not right,” he said.
“Everybody throws sticks for dogs, like I say I’ve done it for four years, but since this accident I have spoken to so many people with similar stories.”
From now on, he said, he will only use a rubber ball to play with Miika, to make sure she stays safe.
“The vet said it’s not just chasing sticks that’s the problem, it is also a dog chewing on a stick which can be harmful.
“There is so much bacteria living on these things that if a splinter comes off and sticks in the gum, it is quite easy for a dog to get an infection which can be just as serious as a physical injury.”
Swift Referrals have been approached for comment.
Advice for dog owners on the Kennel Club website reads: “Stick injuries to dogs can range from minor cuts and scrapes to infections from stick splinters and even fatal injuries.
“Stick injuries are all too common and preventable, so please never throw sticks for dogs.
“They can lead to horrendous, life-threatening injuries, requiring advanced investigation and surgery. Use safer rubber alternatives instead.”
