Don't throw sticks for your dog to fetch, top vet warns owners

Health warning: Dog walkers were warned of the risk of throwing sticks
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Michael Clarke20 January 2016

A top vet has warned dog owners to stop throwing sticks for their pets after a rise of “horrific injuries.”

Grace Webster, the president of the British Veterinary Association in Scotland, said: “Throwing sticks for your dog can be dangerous and lead to horrific injuries that can be very distressing for both you and your dog, such as causing cuts to their mouths and tongues or, as in this case, getting the stick lodged in their throat.”

The warning came after a collie called Maya got a four inch stick wedged in her throat in Scotland.

Owners are being advised to throw safer alternatives such as balls or Frisbees to avoid injury.

Sarah Stevenson, of Bishopbriggs Veterinary Centre in Glasgow treated Maya after she punctured her tongue so severely that it displaced her larynx. The vet has noticed a rise in the number of dogs admitted with injuries from sticks.

“Stick injuries may not be initially obvious and may cause long term problems,” she told The Times.

The most common injury happens when a dog attempts to pick up a stick at speed, forcing it down their gullet or under their tongue.

Robin Hargreaves, former president of the British Veterinary Association, has previously campaigned for owners to be advised against throwing sticks.

Not everyone backed the advice, however. Ben Fogle, the TV presenter, told The Times it sounded like “health and safety gone mad”.

He said: "Use your common sense. Accidents can happen. I wouldn’t throw a whole branch, but a stick is a time honoured, natural way of playing outside with your dog.”

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