A vet in Leeds has issued an urgent warning to dog owners after an incident where a dog nearly died chasing a stick.
Beloved Staffordshire Bull Terrier Jess was rushed to Beechwood Vets in Crossgates after she got a foot-long stick lodged down her throat.
The stick had made its way into her chest, nearly puncturing her heart and arteries – missing them just narrowly.
The incident occurred whilst she was out walking with her owner, Emma Shaw, in the fields close to their home in Swarcliffe.
Emma had thrown a stick for her, but whilst chasing it Jess jumped up – only to land on the stick after it became stuck in the ground. It then went down her throat and got lodged in her oesophagus – leaving her requiring emergency life-saving surgery.
With Jess crying out and yelping, Emma went to see what was going on – but there was no sign of the stick. Suspecting a leg injury. she carried her home before taking her to the vets.
It wasn’t until a clinical exam was carried out by the team at Beechwood that they discovered the stick was lodged in her throat.
Surgical director James Tate operated, but owner Emma was warned that Jess may not survive.
Dr Tate said: “Jess had a huge bulge sticking out of her neck and we had to act quickly as we were worried about an internal bleed because there are so many blood vessels around the neck.
It’s not the first time such an incident has occurred, according to Mr Tate, and in the past the endings haven’t always been so happy.
“It is incredible how the stick had not caused more damage to Jess because it had gone straight down her throat,” he continued.
“Dogs have a natural instinct to play with sticks, but it can be so dangerous. My advice to all dog owners is never to throw sticks.”
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