3 replies to this topic

[CathyAnn]

I have not heard this before seeing this. Makes me worry as my 'kids' love Greenies.

Anyone?



TRUE GREENIES STORY BELOW

Animals In Print

The On-Line Newsletter


From 7 August 2001 Issue


WARNING
Green "toothbrush"-shaped dental chews prove deadly

It has taken me since Monday evening to write this message to you. That
is the night that our little 17-1/2 year old Chihuahua mix, Peanut, died as
Dr. Bell and Dr. Iannone of Evesham Vet Clinic worked valiantly to
save her life. It was a death that never should have happened, and I will
forever have to live with knowing that because of what I did NOT know, my
wonderful little girl would lose her life. I only hope that this E-mail
will save the life of someone else's precious companion


Peanut died after having swallowed a chunk of what is known as a
"greenie"


They are green "toothbrush"-shaped chews designed to remove tartar from
teeth and improve the breath of dogs. I had hoped that with "greenes" and
regular tooth brushing I could avoid the anesthesia risk
of dentals for my older small dogs.


How ironic that it would be just the thing I wanted to use to avert danger
that would claim Peanut's life.


We have used greenies in the past - they worked well and the kids loved
them. I always gave the dogs a size larger than what I would normally
have purchased just to be certain they didn't get off a large piece and choke
on it. They have never been allowed to have them unsupervised.
And the night Peanut swallowed the piece, my husband was there with her.
Although she sputtered and struggled, she seemed to have swallowed the
section, but the next morning, she didn't seem like herself and didn't
want breakfast.


She vomited her am meds, but was drinking fluids. By late morning I
decided to phone the vet just as a precaution. I was given an evening
appointment, at which time X-rays were taken and it was determined
that the greenie was actually lodged in Peanut's esophagus just above
the area of her heart.


After hours that evening, Drs. Bell and Iannone stayed on and anesthetized
Peanut to use the endoscope to try and remove the greenie or move it down
into the stomach where it would be surgically removed. Both options were
attempted, with only pieces of the greenie breaking off.
It seems that this product had adhered itself to the esophageal walls
and as these very experienced vets struggled to free up her sealed passage
way, her heart finally just gave out and stopped beating. Dr. Bell said he
has never seen anything quite like this.


My baby is gone all because I didn't know of the dangers involved with
this product. When I shared this with my CGC class tonight at WonderDogs, my
instructor told me that she has been told by several people in her online
group that they have had dogs die the same way after using the popular
denta-bones. Evidentially, these products become somewhat like cement if
they get caught in the esophagus.


Please, PLEASE urge everyone you know who has a dog (and anyone you know
who SELLS these tremendously popular products) to think twice before using
them again. If I had read a message like this prior to Sunday night, I might be
watching my little Chihuahua girl still enjoying her evening nap under her favorite
blanket rather than sitting at the computer writing this E-mail through tears of incredible
grief and guilt. I only hope this saves the life of another animal.


In memory of my "Nutty-Buddy",


Shellie
source: DogLover9 @ aol.com

[CarCarDawn]

Hi- - - I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved "Peanut" - - thank you for informing us of the danger of using this product. There are so many things out there that we can unknowingly give our pets that may have consequences. May you find some solace in the years ahead - - - God bless.

[CathyAnn]

Oh no, Dawn! I (thankfully) didn't lose my Cairn(s)!!

I just 'cut and pasted' this article for an FYI and to see if anyone had heard of this before. And, a warning to those of us who do give our little 's Greenies.

Cathy

[LORI]

I had heard this before about greenie's. We were told by our breeder that we shouldn't use these or raw hide chewies or pig ears. Too dangerous.
Cairns are an aggressive chewiers and will bite off more than they can chew if given the opportunity.
We send our sympathies but wish to thank you for your much needed advice.

Edited by LORI, 17 April 2004 - 06:51 PM.