14 September 2023 , 15:45
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A dog owner has taken to social media to warn others after an incredibly upsetting incident involving her beloved dog, Merlin. Jodie Young, from Thatcham in Berkshire, wants to get the message out to as many people as possible after the shocking experience, which ended up costing almost £7,000 in vet bills.
Jodie and her young son Finnley headed out together to walk Merlin in the park when she picked up a large stick and threw it for the dog - something she had done countless times before. Merlin caught the stick while running - but then started yelping out in pain. As she ran over, Jodie released that the stick had jammed his mouth open and blood was pouring out. "He started wheezing and choking, then went limp," she recalled. "Seconds later, he was heaving and vomiting blood all over the grass.
Sweet Merlin was rushed to the vets
The treatments cost £7,000Jodie and her partner Steve immediately rushed Merlin to the emergency vets in Reading where he was put under general anaesthetic and a piece of the stick was found wedged against his windpipe. With Merlin struggling to breathe, the couple were sent to a veterinary specialist in Ringwood. He was admitted into intensive care where he then remained for two days.
Thankfully, they were finally able to remove the stick - which was a whopping 10 cm long - using forceps. "Miraculously (and she said it was a miracle) the stick had not damaged the windpipe or oesophagus when it got wedged in his throat," Jodie shared on her Facebook. "He was kept another night to be strictly monitored, no food allowed but fluids via a drip and very strong painkillers."
Merlin is now making a good recovery after an array of antibiotics and painkillers. Writing shortly after she brought Merlin back home, Jodie said: "He is lethargic, swollen, and in pain… because I threw a stick. One-second decision resulting in catastrophic events - we were lucky, it could have been so much worse."
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She added: "Our vet bill totalled almost £7,000 - thank god for insurance! So please, please, use this story and listen to the voice saying don't throw sticks for dogs because I ignored it and nearly lost my favourite being as a result. The guilt I feel is immense."
Her post was quickly inundated with messages. "OMG! Thank you for sharing what must have been such a traumatic event. Hope he is on the mend soon," one wrote.
A second told Jodie: "I'm in tears reading this, so sorry, so traumatic. Don't blame yourself, you're clearly a lovely doggie mummy as you have done everything in your power to make sure he’s ok. Dogs have chased sticks for forever! So glad your doggie is on the mend xx."
And a third said: "I'm not a dog person but felt compelled to share this one because if I were a dog person I would deffo be one that would have thrown a stick! Wishing you and Merlin a speedy recovery."