Reiman's foreign object

[groovydreamyfab]

When I picked up Reiman's ashes this week, I also picked up the foreign body that was found in the center of the mass. They had said that it was a piece of a plastic toy, and I had been wondering all this time if I would recognize it or not, or be able to figure out exactly what it was. I recognized it immediately. It was a partially chewed up squeaker from one of our stuffed toys. I will post pics of it on her memorial page soon. I don't know any dog owner who cannot recognize a squeaker. I am still in shock that it could have caused such damage. My weim Jack is a big toy eater, so I always have to watch him. I have seen a number of these same plastic squeakers mangled/chewed in either his poop or puke. It is not a hard plastic, and feel quite foolish for not realizing that this could be life threatening. This squeaker is hollow, but since it was partially chewed, the hollow insides became filled with other 'stuff' that traveled thru her intestines, making it solid. She only became ill just a few days before this was discovered. By ill, I mean lethargic, as if she didn't feel well. That was when it must have poked a hole thru her intestines and they began leaking. I've no idea how long it was inside her, days or weeks...but no other symptoms were shown. I wish we could have found it in time that it could have been fixed, but prior to her lethargy, she appeared to feel great and have no problems at all. We did not find it in time to save her life, but I think it was found in time to save her great pain and suffering, and for that I am grateful.
Cassandra

[greyflyte]

Thanks so much for posting this info, it comes as a timely reminder to all of us of the risks our dogs take every day!! I have numerous toys round the place and I guess it is a mater of good or bad luck if they hurt our beuatiful grey friends. Years ago I almost lost my first wei to intestinal obstruction. He had chewed and swallowed a hard piece of rubber from a toy ring. He had to have a bowel resection but he made it. I never buy those any more but have heaps of stuffed toys round the place. Cyd

[Wetdog]

I have sort of given up on the stuffed toys with squeekers---they usually don't last too long around here and I got tired of picking up stuffings.

I will say that the vinyl balls and dumbells have lasted quite a long time and get played with just about every day---and amazingly still are intact including squeekers.

I'm sorry for your loss of Reiman.

[rute_paredes]

Thank you so much for sharing this information with us.
My weim Iago is also a toy chewer and I gave up on stuffed toys because their life span was so limited in his paws.

You and Reiman are in our thoughts.
Take care

rute