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by Sunsilver on 20 April 2007 - 20:04
People looking for a potential protection or schutzhund dog often judge the dog by its ball drive, so I know there are a LOT of ball-happy GSD's out there. Well your dog's love for tennis balls could cause its death. Please read this, and PASS IT ON. Please note the vet interviewed says he sees this happen QUITE FREQUENTLY, so don't say, "Oh, it's never happened to me"!
http://www.sfgsrescue.org/articles/tennisballs.htm
by Louise M. Penery on 20 April 2007 - 21:04
A medium ball one a string killed a well-known dog last summer. I had been using a MEDIUM size Gappay ball on a string for many years. However, considering the risks involved, I switched to a LARGE Gappay ball.
Otherwise, the article offers helpful advice about the removal of a ball from the dog's throat: isolating the ball from below with one hand and manually working it up the dog's throat towards his mouth before extracting it with the other hand.
by Sunsilver on 20 April 2007 - 21:04
I might add, if the dog struggles too much, and prevents you from removing the ball, try not to panic. It will eventually lose consciousness, and you can quickly get it out while the dog is limp. If it doesn't start to breathe spontaneously once the ball is out, hold its mouth closed, take its muzzle in your mouth (you REALLY love this dog, right?) and blow into its nostrils. If the air is going where it should, you should see its chest rise.
Maybe someone with more veterinary experience than me can give more detailed instructions for doing canine mouth-to-mouth respiration. I'm a people nurse, not a dog nurse!
by 4pack on 20 April 2007 - 21:04
I use a medium Gappay string balls for my pups after 8 weeks old and switch to the large as soon as they can get there mouth around it. We do still have tennis balls laying around, funny thing is, all the dogs preffer the gappay balls and sometimes wont pick up a tennis ball.
by Trailrider on 20 April 2007 - 22:04
Thanks for the article, very good to know! What GSD doesn't like a tennis ball??!!
by sueincc on 20 April 2007 - 22:04
Yes, I stopped using tennis balls a long time ago because my dogs always pop them then rip them to shreds. Mine love the Gappay balls too. The only balls I leave lying around are large like the egges. They only get to play with the Gappay balls with me.
by 4pack on 20 April 2007 - 22:04
I think it's the fuzz on the tennis balls they don't like on their tongue? Not sure but thats my best guess. I hear ya on the tennis balls anly lasting about 30 seconds. I have several that are split in 1/2. As tough as the Gappay balls are, I still see them squashing down when the dogs bite down. I don't let my dogs have balls in their kennels unattended but my daughter is terrible about that. I have one string ball with the string left on it! Grrrrrrr
by sueincc on 20 April 2007 - 23:04
I know, they get a little costly if the dogs get to them & destroy the strings. I guess I could re-string them, but I'm all thumbs! I think you are right about the fuzz, plus I remember someone telling me the fuzz is bad for their teeth - wears them down somehow.
by gsdlova on 20 April 2007 - 23:04
I heard somewhere that the glue that holds the tennis ball together wears down the dog's tooth enamel over time. But I use a medium Orbee-Tuff ball with rope.
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