Dangerous treat? Crosspost

I have never heard of this treat before, so I don't know if there is a legitamate risk or if it's about as harmful as a piece of kibble. This was posted by a member on one of the Belgian groups though so I thought I'd post it here just incase we have some "inhalers" here.

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just got home from the emergency vet. I gave my dogs each a
>"roverolis," a new Snausage treat. My dog Scooter's got stuck in his
>throat. He was trying to cough it back up, but couldn't. I picked
>him up and held him upside down, hoping gravity would help. I stuck
>my finger down his throat several times. I could feel it but
>couldn't get close enough to get under it. He starts vomiting. I
>hold him upside down so he doesn't aspirate on his vomit. He is
>still heaving trying to dislodge it, I'm hitting his back, holding
>him upside down, his tongue starts turning blue. I grab him off the
>counter, grab my purse, jump in my car and race to the vet. I called
>Donna on the way and asked her to call the emergency vet to let them
>know I was bringing in a choking dog. She actually went there and
>notified them. I get there, jump out of the car, run in, they grab
>him, the vet comes running in and says h is entire tongue is blue,
>we have to knock him out now so we can get it out. I said do
>whatever you need to do, I'll pay for it.
>The vet came in and told me that I was very very lucky. She said
>Scooter would have died. She said the only thing that kept him alive
>was that he was so calm during everything.
>She also said that he was the second dog that had come in recently
>that had had this treat get lodged in its throat/windpipe. She said
>Scooter was lucky, the other dog wasn't. Scooter is now in ICU, he's
>getting antibiotics intravenously, and has to spend the night there.
>Hopefully he can come home tomorrow. I almost lost him . . . .
>I rarely buy my dogs this type of treat. Please DON'T PURCHASE
>SNAUSAGES ROVEROLIS BECAUSE THERE IS TOO GREAT A RISK A RISK THAT
>THE TREAT[IT IS SHAPED LIKE A PILLOW] WILL GET LODGED IN A DOG'S
>THROAT/WINDPIPE AND THE DOG WILL DIE FROM LACK OF OXYGEN.
>Please feel free to widely cross post this warning so that other
>lives can be saved.

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There's always a legitimate risk when we give our dogs treats and toys to chew on. Even milkbones can be dangerous under some circumstances.

It sure doesn't hurt to have a timely reminder towards caution and common sense every now and then.

Thanks for posting. This is scary. I have a question. I've always wondered what you're supposed to do if your dog is choking on something? With humans it's the Heimlech(spelling?)Maneuver but I don't have a clue what to do with dogs. Does anyone know what the best thing is until you can get to the vet? Of course I hope nothing happens but the closest emergency clinic to me is 30 miles away.

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Originally Posted by Daisy and Delilah

Thanks for posting. This is scary. I have a question. I've always wondered what you're supposed to do if your dog is choking on something? With humans it's the Heimlech(spelling?)Maneuver but I don't have a clue what to do with dogs. Does anyone know what the best thing is until you can get to the vet? Of course I hope nothing happens but the closest emergency clinic to me is 30 miles away.

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You would perform the heimlich on a dog as well. Here's a link: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/heimlic...dog/page1.aspx

Thanks Sarah. I have bookmarked that site in case I ever need it.

No problem. It's a good thing to know. When I worked for a vet, I had her show me how to do it. Next time you're in, your vet may be able to show you. For me it's much easier to have a visual than to read it.

That is scarrrry! Thank GOD she acted so quickly and they were able to save the poor pup. =(

....I wouldn't feed Snausages, in any case.

I've bought those treats several times for my pups.

Thanks for the info!

Terry - and others - the Red Coss offers Pet First Aid courses. No that I have a full house, I've been thinking I should take th class. It is just like their humanfirst aid and CPR classes - low cost and a good thing to be aware of.

Thank God that dog made it ok. I never buy those treats for my dogs. Just because of the choking hazard...that and it's junk food for dogs.

Thanks again Sarah and thanks, Sandra. I think it's a great idea to have "hands on" experience with this. I always get scared thinking one of the girls might choke and I'll be of no help at all when it happens. Even though I watch them closely, anything could happen in a heartbeat. They have such tiny throats. I'm so glad this thread was started to raise awareness.

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Originally Posted by applesmom

There's always a legitimate risk when we give our dogs treats and toys to chew on. Even milkbones can be dangerous under some circumstances.

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Exactly my thoughts. While cases like this are scary and sad, whenever I give my dogs ANY kind of treat they are supervised and if I feel they are gulping the treats, or not chewing them properly, (posing a choking risk) they don't get any more. The only treat my dogs have ever had a problem with was some chicken jerky I gave them. Peej has old man teeth and couldn't chew it well enough. He choked on a piece, and I had to dig it out of his throat. I will never give him that kind of treat again, but I wont tell other people not to feed them to their dogs.

Thats why when I give Bear a treat (which is rare), I make sure its small or I'll break it up, cause then it's harder for her to choak on.

My old dog choaked on a rawhide (I was supervising, as I knew some dogs have issues with them)... it was my luck, he was one of them... I command him to sit & to open, he did so promptly.. Dad held him just incase & I could see it, so I reached in & gently pulled it out.. after he finished gagging & coughing, I commanded him to open again so I could look to see if there was any damage... it was a tender red & I kept an eye on it.. he was ok, but never got that again.

Agree with Applesmom...it can happen with anything! Greenies are a prime example.

Although, those treats have been known to give dogs pancreatitis.