 Lakeland
Veterinary Hospital
The Only Veterinary Facility in North Central Minnesota With 24-Hour Staffing
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Gone Fishing!
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| In addition to warm weather and mosquitoes, summer in Minnesota brings the joys of fishing on our many lakes. Although this can be a wonderful way to spend time with our furry four-legged companions, it also poses several hazards. Fishing lures are shiny and have many sharp hooks to attract and catch fish. However, they often attract our curious and sometimes hungry dogs and cats. Dogs will mistake the lures which frequently smell of fish, as a tasty treat. Cats find the dangly, shiny lures irresistible to play with. Once embedded in their skin, dogs and cats often paw at the lures trying to dislodge them. If the lure has many hooks, they will frequently become ensnared in multiple locations. The pet will need sedation to then remove the hook or hooks safely from the skin. If swallowed, the hooks can be life-threatening, especially if the hook becomes "set" by attached fishing line. Fishing line itself is very dangerous, as it can get tangled in the intestines, causing a life-threatening obstruction. If untreated, the line will saw through the intestines and lead to death. These cases need surgery to remove the line and repair any damage. |
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| Case Study: Balto the Golden Retriever | ||||||||||||
| Balto is a 9-year-old male Golden Retriever. He came to the hospital the day before fishing opener, 2005. Balto had ingested fishing line off the spool several days earlier. He had been vomiting and feeling ill since. The fishing line was still hanging from his mouth. Unfortunately, pulling on the line can result in a tear in the intestines and death. X-rays showed there was no hook attached to the line. Balto was rushed to surgery to remove the fishing line. Inside, his intestines were pleated like an accordion. Five incisions into the stomach and intestines were needed to remove the yards of fishing line. Balto recovered well and went home the following day. Hopefully Balto will restrain from any future fishing expeditions! |
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