Don't Use This Dog Toy

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Don't Use This Dog Toy

Received this story and felt it was
too important not to publish.

This past June a 10-year old lab mix, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with the vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. When Chai approached a friend whimpering with the ball in his mouth. She tried to remove the ball, but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.

Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center and had the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes.

By the following morning
Chai's tongue had swollen even more.

He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they treated his wounds and waited to determine how much of his tongue could be saved.

On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated.

He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday June 29th, Chai came home from the vet with a barrage of home care instructions for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.

The manager at Petland Discount met Chai and saw his condition, he removed all of the balls in question from the shelves. He also suggested taht they refuse to continue purchasing all Four Paws products.

Additionally, a French Bulldog named Petunia. had the same thing happen twice in one night with a smaller version of the same ball to their dog. Fortunately, they were able to pull it off before the tongue swelled, but not without tremendous effort and pain to the dog. They recalled how horrific it was to hear their dog screaming while they had to pry the ball from her tongue.

To date, my veterinary bills total over $5000 and I will have regular follow up appointments for some time. Additionally, Chai now requires a much more expensive form of food because of this injury, averaging approximately $200 per month. Also - I am Chai's sole caretaker and the regime required to care for him following his surgery has forced me to lose a great deal of business. I am a hair stylist and my salon is in my home. Given that Chai needs constant attention, and given that he has been wailing in pain, I have not been able to see clients.

Chai has had to relearn how to eat, drink and adjust to life without his tongue. Just walking him requires about 30 minutes twice a day and he only makes it three blocks. Feeding him takes me about 90 minutes twice a day, and for this first week he was not to be unattended for more than 20 minutes at a time

Four Paws Inc. position is that there just aren't enough instances to do anything about this.

Dogs can't sweat without their tongue
much less eat or drink normally

Snoopes

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