 In Memory Of Peanut (Greenies related Death) |
Well, everyone, here is yet another Greenies related death story. Some of you may have heard Peanut's story earlier, she died in 2001. Here is the story again for those that missed it and a little update at the end. |
WARNING Green "toothbrush" shaped dental chews (greenies) prove deadly! 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 story 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
**Update**
Jeannie,
Over the past four years since she died I have had many E-mail contacts from others who have also lost their best friends (or have had frightening "near miss" experiences). I did contact the company immediately and allowed them to access my vet records as well as speak personally with my veterinarian, who was happy to cooperate. The "report" that I received as a result was shocking- filled with misinformation and "facts" that had no basis in reality. My veterinarian was appalled, to say the least. He responded to the letter and so did I. Their "remedy" was to plan to put warning information on the labels regarding conditions under which you should not use greenies! The real issue is that this product sealed itself to the esophageal wall and could not be removed either by endoscopy or surgery! The company owners never even had the decency to contact me personally, but rather chose to let their PR company handle a situation that they told me was the "only complaint" they had had about their product. And yet once Peanut's story became public, I've had many E-mails telling like stories. I have absolutely no respect for them whatsoever. I have kept that information all these years and have now given copies to Mike as well as continuing to warn others by telling my baby's story.
Thanks for all you're doing to help keep others from the pain that I still live with on a daily basis.
Shellie
****************************
If you find this article or our Blog interesting and informative, please share our address ( http://www.wholedognews.com ) with all your pet-loving friends, family, co-workers, and veterinarian.
If you have any questions please email us or leave a private message here on the QMTP private Messenger.
The Whole Dog News Blog is brought to you by:
Jeannie Thomason and The Whole Dog Store
The Whole Dog News is dedicated to providing you with the latest holistic/natural news for your dogs health. We also are proud to provide you with all natural, healthy products to help your best friend achieve and maintain optimum health.
We will continue to provide with important information as well as only safe and effective products that we use ourselves. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any information or product, please don't hesitate to ask. We will always be here to help.
The information contained in The Whole Dog News is educational in nature and not to be used as specific veterinary advice for your pets. Neither the authors nor the publishers can be held responsible for any unfavorable reactions to recommendations contained herein. Readers should seek professional advice, preferably from a holistic veterinarian, before initiating any of the advice contained within The Whole Dog News Blog.
Very interesting and super great to know! My animals will have no more of them.
Thank you for telling your story to those that have newly introduced and intrigued as you were with the greenies! I have 2 Maltese dogs that have shown such a strong desire for these treats that I thought this was a godsend! My husband saw a tv news clip regarding the danger of these treats, and asked me to research this. After reading yours and other's stories of their pets' death, I am now convinced that this company is just capitalizing on it's short termed success before the plug is pulled! It is evident with their quick denial of any wrong doing! It is ashamed that those that are not informed will have to go through losing precious family member as you have before it is widely known that this product kills! Thank you for your persistance and getting the word out! These treats are now trash in my book! I will pass on the word!
