Mollie's CT scan
Anderson Moores' Vets Warn Of Stick Dangers After Dog Impaled On Walk
4 months ago 
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Vets at a Hampshire animal hospital have warned of the dangers of playing with sticks after a dog was impaled and spent almost two weeks in intensive care.
German Shepherd and Golden Retriever crossbreed, Mollie, was on a walk with her owner, who threw a large stick for her to fetch.
The five-year-old dog was running to get the stick, which had landed flat on the floor, when the end became stuck in the ground as Mollie tried to pick it up. It lodged under her tongue, travelling through her neck, close to the windpipe, and coming to a stop above her heart.
Mollie was rushed to local vets before being referred to Linnaeus-owned Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester.
Small animal surgery resident Hilario Gonzalez Montano said: “Mollie was playing when she was impaled by a stick, which went around 40cm from inside her mouth to the chest, and stopped very close to her heart.
“The surgery was very challenging as the stick was close to critical structures like the heart, aorta, oesophagus, jugular vein and carotid artery.
“It had also left lots of splinters and bark between the muscles and chest which was difficult to remove. The team and I spent the whole night treating Mollie, from when she was admitted at 8pm until around 7am the following day.”
Due to infections caused by debris from the stick, Mollie had to undergo two further operations and was in Anderson Moores’ specially designed emergency unit for a total of 10 days.
Now Mollie is back at home recovering in Fawley, Southampton, where she lives with her owners and ‘big brother’ Harley, a rescue dog.
Owner Will Walker said neither of the dogs are now allowed to play with sticks, while Hilario has called on other dog owners to instead take a toy on their walks.
He said: “Definitely never throw sticks for your dogs. Stick injuries are something we see quite regularly but such a big stick going so deep is very unusual. Mollie was very lucky.
“I would advise pet owners to use a rubber toy when playing fetch with their dogs.”
His calls have been echoed by Will, who added: “We were those typical owners who just thought it would never happen to us and it can’t be that dangerous.
“Mollie only had an interest in sticks for the last few months and we only threw them occasionally.
“She wasn’t running with it, nor was it sticking out of the ground, and yet a serious injury still occurred.”
Will thanked the Anderson Moores’ team for the care they showed Mollie, who is continuing hydrotherapy and physiotherapy at the hospital to treat an ongoing, unrelated hip condition.
Will, who recently took part in a canine first aid course to be prepared in future emergencies, said: “The team at Anderson Moores are the best of the best, every single one of them is a dedicated professional with a 100 per cent commitment to the wellbeing of your pet.
“We have no doubts that without this incredible, very highly skilled professional team, we would no longer have our wonderful Mollie. We are forever grateful.”
Anderson Moores offers expert care in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, feline hyperthyroid clinic, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery.
For more information, visit www.andersonmoores.comor search for Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists on social media.
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