Three-year-old Badger is the most recent stick injury case to be seen by veterinarians which can lead to life-altering injuries or even worse. Badger was out for a walk near the family home in Bath when a little bit of playing went considerably incorrect and he came within a couple of millimetres of death.
“My hubby was with him, and he’d come out of a river with a stick in his mouth,” said Badger’s owner Susanna Padiachy. “He slipped and it struck the bank, got lowered his throat and was poking out the opposite.
“He simulates to go after sticks, and this was simply a freak mishap. My hubby called me and when I diminished, I might see this horrendous injury with the stick extending out of his neck.
“It was a horrific moment. We were all in a state of shock and Badger looked frozen by what had happened. We didn’t touch the stick and knew we had to get him help right away.”
After being stabilised and provided discomfort relief by Bath Vets, he was described Bath Vet Referrals’ surgical group at the practice healthcare facility. “There was a large entry wound under Badger’s tongue,” said senior recommendation cosmetic surgeon Samantha Lane. “The stick had actually tunnelled through the tissues in his neck to extend in his shoulder area.
“We operated after performing imaging, but it was complicated because the stick was positioned adjacent to Badger’s larynx and had narrowly avoided his jugular vein. But there was no damage to his oesophagus or windpipe, and we managed to remove it without further complications.”
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It’s approximated around 1.4 million dogs a year are hurt playing with or chewing sticks. Samantha included: “‘We regularly see stick injuries. If left untreated, complications can be catastrophic and can lead to death if vital structures are penetrated. So, if owners want to throw objects for their dogs, we recommend products designed specifically for this like Safestix.”
Badger was provided fluid treatment and discomfort relief and, after a surgical drain was eliminated a week later on, he made a complete healing. Susanna is now backing Bath Vet Referrals’ requires owners to utilize much safer options to sticks.
“We’re so grateful to the whole team for the treatment they gave Badger,” said Susanna. “When we initially got Badger to the surgical treatment, I believed he was going to pass away, and my hubby needed to take him in as I couldn’t bear it.
“He was unbelievably fortunate as it really was so close to being all over. Thankfully he’s fine now, but he’s banned from sticks, and I’d urge any other owner to follow the vets’ advice.”
