A Dog and a Ball: A Cautionary Tale
Most people are aware that the size of a ball is important when considering a dog toy; too small and there is a risk of ingestion. But what about the design of the ball?
Here is the story of Chai, a 10-year old Labrador mix who suffered a severe injury from a seemingly benign toy, a rubber ball.
Apparently, the one-hole design may be what caused a vacuum to be created in the center of the ball, trapping Chai's tongue. A friend of the owner was right there when it happened, but the tongue had swollen so much that she was unable to remove the ball. Chai was taken to the emergency vet. This incident created such damage that Chai's tongue eventually had to be amputated.
Other comments left on Chai's blog suggest that he wasn't the first to have this happen to either; one dog reportedly died from the same type of injury in 2005. Read more blog posts.
Have you had trouble or noticed a potential safely problem with a pet toy? Please post your experience and tips in the "comments" area below this post.
Photo © MShades' on Flickr
Comments
The Truth About Four Paws Toy
My name is Dr. Charles Greco. I’m a veterinarian in New York. I came across your blog about your dog Chai. I wanted to extend my well wishes for a speedy recovery. I own 6 dogs, 2 cats, 4 birds and 3 tortoises, so I know how much a pet can become a part of the family. I was shocked to learn that the toy that hurt poor Chai came from Four Paws Pet Products. I have used many products from Four Paws from Wee Wee Pads to toys and dental products and I have always found them to be of the highest quality. I personally contacted Four Paws today and talked to some lady in the customer service department that told me that the toy that hurt Chai was the result of a manufacturing defect with its pimple ball with bell toy. She explained that the defect, which is very difficult to see with the naked eye, is caused by a blockage in a small hole in the ball that is critical to regulating the suction inside the toy. She also told me that when Four Paws learned of the injury to Chai they immediately stopped shipping the product to distributors and retailers. She also said that Four Paws asked any retailers that had this toy in their possession to remove the toy and send them back to Four Paws. She told me that Four Paws is individually inspecting everyone of the pimple balls in its inventory in order to identify and discard any that are defective. She also said that Four Paws will also be changing the packaging of its pimple balls to make it easier to inspect them for potential defects. I was surprised when she told me that the Executive V.P., Barry Askin, was so deeply moved by the injury to Chai that he is personally visiting the manufacturer next month to inspect the manufacturer’s operation and to make sure the defect has been corrected and that procedures are in place to make sure the defect has been corrected and that procedures are in place to make sure it will not happen again. It was reassuring that this company is not sitting by idly but is taking an active role in making sure this terrible accident never happens again. I would just urge any pet owner who may already own one of these toys to check carefully to see if the second small hole in the ball is blocked. If they have any doubt whether the hole is open they should not let their pet play with the ball. I also went on Four Paws’ webpage, http://www.fourpaws.com. On the webpage they state that they will replace any defective toy. Again, all the best to you and Chai. I hope the two of you can share many years of happiness ahead.
So true. Also my dog Bitty almost choked to death(Oprah’s dog Sophie did choke to death) on those chew toys that look like bones that you get from Walmart . Thank God my neighbor knew child CPR(when I ran over there with Bitty in my arms in a panic -she was dying!) and dislodged the piece that got caught in her throat.She is alive thanks to him and I NEVER buy her anything to chew on and she is a happy and cool dog.If you want a puppy to teeth on something give it an old sock and play tug with her.That is what my vet told me.It works and you don’t have to worry about them choking to death.If you insist on a chew toy make sure it does not have a squeak because they sometimes will choke on the part that makes it squeak.Even older dogs. .And also choke chains and collars are BAD for puppies and cats and kittens.They sometimes will get caught on something and can’t get free and will hang themselves.Awful.It happened to my brother’s puppy Bailey.Take care.
It’s not the choke chains/collars that are bad for the dog… These are training tools; to be used only when working with the dog. When you aren’t walking/working with your dog make sure you take the collar off.