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Do Dogs Get Oral Injuries When They Play With Sticks?

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3 min Read

February 10, 2022 | Hygiene & Care

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Do Dogs Get Oral Injuries


Dogs love to play outside and roll over in the grass. And it is quite common to see dog parents playing fetch with their pets. Little do they know about the complexities involved in letting a dog fetch and chew sticks. Playing fetch with your dog using a stick can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries. And so, it is advised that you stop using sticks for them to fetch and encourage them to replace sticks with soft and dog-friendly toys using Dogsee Chew training treats and puppy chew sticks.

Why are sticks dangerous?

Sticks are the remnants or fallen parts of a tree, and they can be sharp for dogs. Dogs often catch the fetch with their mouths, which would probably risk the possibility of injury.


You might be tempted to play fetch with sticks due to your dog’s enticement, but do not fall for it!

Nature of the Injuries

Sticks are delicate enough to break and splinter while being fetched, and hence add to the risk of causing punctures, infections, gum rot, and obstructions in your dog's mouth or throat. Your dog's chewing on these sticks can lead to choking and can also cause impalement to the throat. There have been certain situations where cases of internal injuries, including damage to blood vessels, tissue damage, and infection as a result of the leakage of the food pipe.


What are the symptoms of a stick injury?


  • Mouth Bleeding

  • Toothache

  • Difficulty in chewing

  • Excessive Drooling

  • Breathlessness

  • Trouble swallowing


Dogs may exhibit the following symptoms if the initial stick injury was not detected and a period of days to weeks has passed:


  • Swelling in the neck

  • Tiredness

  • Fever

  • Pus Discharge

What to do if my dog has been injured by a stick?

The first and foremost thing you must do is to seek immediate medical attention. When an examination by a veterinarian is delayed, it may be difficult to see the original injury. Gums heal quickly, which can conceal injuries.


You could offer Crunch Beetroot Freeze-Dried treats to help soothe your dog’s gums on your way to the vet.


Parts of a stick may splinter and break off when chewed or caught in a dog's mouth. Wood splinters can puncture and damage the soft tissues of the mouth, neck, and, in severe cases, the chest.


If significant damage has occurred, surgery may be required to repair the damaged structures and/or remove the wood splinters. Splinters of wood that have been present for more than a week are much more difficult to remove. This is due to the fact that the gum or skin has frequently healed over the original entry wound, and wood splinters may migrate to another location. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best treatment for your pet's condition.

Conclusion

There's no denying that a dog's pride in retrieving a stick found in nature is endearing. This Instagram post will help you have a fun and safe training session with your loved one using safe dog training sticks.


Playing fetch is a great way to bond with your dog. However, keep in mind that playing with sticks can be hazardous.


Before you and your dog go out for a rousing game of fetch, keep in mind that there are many safe, low-cost alternatives to sticks that will last longer and allow for even more epic fetch games. You can help your pet have a safer playtime by giving them safe chew sticks or taking them to a local pet store to pick out a toy they'll enjoy.

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