PSA: Please Turn OFF Your Paper Shredders! FYI, Very Gruesome

[rangerwendy]

I can post this now because my baby is going to be O.K. Last Friday, I was home alone. I had just gotten out of the shower and was sitting in my robe looking something up on the computer. My catahoula, Boomer, was in the room with me because he follows me everywhere. Before I knew it, I heard him yelp and he ran out of the room. He had been nosing around the trash can and stuck his tongue in our paper shredder!!! His tongue went part way through the shredder and he pulled back so hard that he unplugged it and was racing around the house with it hanging from his tongue and screaming. I managed to grab him and hold him still and tried to help him but the shredder wouldn't budge. I couldn't hold him and get to a phone to call for help so I managed to walk him to the bathroom and close the door. I didn't want running around. By this time he was bleeding profusely and I was absolutely covered. I called the vet in hysterics and called my cousin to come help me who lives just a few minutes away. Here is the really bad part: When I went back to the bathroom to get my baby, he had pulled so hard on the shredder trying to get it off his tongue that he had pulled his entire tongue out of his mouth. It was on the floor of our shower, still attached to the shredder. I freaked. I managed to get him in the car all by myself(70 pounds) and proceeded to my vet(only about 5 minutes away) screaming and crying. the first vet gave him a shot and sent us to a surgeon. He spent the weekend at the vet, who stitched him up and he got to come home on Tuesday. He manages to eat and drink just fine without his tongue. H estill has a feeding tube in right now but that comes out this week. The water he just slurps up and his food he crunches and then tilts his head back to swallow. Amazingly, he is still my sweet, friendly boy. I don't think he remembers anything because he will go anywhere in the house and he wags his tail and runs into the vets office when we go for check ups. So anyway, after much heartache and a hefty vet bill, I just wanted to say UNPLUG YOUR SHREDDERS IF YOU HAVE ANIMALS OR KIDS. My husband searched on-line after it happened and there have been at least 5 other reported cases of dogs doing this and countless children putting their hands in them. Most of the other dogs were not as lucky as my Boomer. They had to be put down. Sorry this was so long but I was finally able to write it because my baby is going to be just fine. Thanks for reading.

UPDATE:
Just wanted to let everyone know that Boomer is doing great. He went to the vet on Wednesday and had his feeding tube removed. Now we are just keeping an eye on the area to make sure it doens't get infected and heals properly. He has another 10 days of antibiotics and then he goes back to vet for his last check-up. On Wednesday, she said in about another 2 weeks, what remains of his tongue should be totally healed. She was amazed at how quickly he has adapted to eating and drinking and was also amazed that he is always so happy when he goes to the vet. She called him a superstar. That made me feel good. He is back to running, jumping and just goofing around. He is even starting to be less messy when he eats. So, sad story but happy ending!

[IrishMeg]

Holy crap, I can't believe what happened to your poor baby. I am so, so sorry but so grateful to you for posting this. I would have never, ever thought about something like this happening. I am so glad he is okay. Please keep us updated on him. He will be in my thoughts and so will you. Thank you for posting this.

[Tonysweetie]

OH my!!!! I'm am in shock when I read that. I have a paper shredder in my office and we never unplug it. It's off but still plugged. I think I'll unplug it too just incase. I am so sorry this happened. I can't even imagine how scared you were. Wow! I'm going unplug it right now. Thank you!

[sublime311]

OMG, how horrifying... I am SOOOO sorry, but thank God he's going to have a full recovery. Thank you for sharing this with us.

BIG hugs to Boomer!

[keska]

You know, this really never occurred to me and I have a bengal that gets into everything. I'm going to keep our unplugged from now on.

[QueenDillyDally]

:( How awful! I feel so sorry for you doggie! Glad to hear he is doing okay. Thank you for the PSA... so important!

[jesvet]

That is just horrible. I am so glad he is OK and glad you were home when that happened. What a nightmare!

[Leigh0918]

That's so awful!! I'm drying my eyes over here, your story makes me so upset. Thank goodness you were home at the time, I can't even imagine what it was like for you and for poor Boomer :( Take care...

[kimbyj]

WOW! Unbelieveable story. Sad to read but with a really happy ending. Sorry you all had to go through this.

I will tell all of my dog/cat owner friends this too. I am sorry they were not able to re-attach his tongue. I am sure he wants to kiss you for all you have done!

Best wishes!

[maplekitty]

:eek: :eek:


oh poor puppy!!!! I'm glad he's okay, and can manage without a tongue!!!
I can't even imagine how horrifying that would be. ((hugs))

[lml41981]

We had seen one of those consumer alert shows awhile back about this very topic. It showed kids who lost fingers and animals who lost tails and stuff. It was heartbreaking and made us decide to keep the shredder portion on a high shelf. We only take it down when we need to shred stuff and then it goes right back up.

I hope your pup is ok. Will this affect his ability to regulate his body temperature or anything? I mean, I guess he can still pant, but does the tongue play a factor in that at all?

[rangerwendy]

The vet said it will affect him somewhat. We will just have to keep a very close eye on him when he is outside in hot weather and make sure he gets enough water. And, of course, we live in Texas, which means virtually all year we'll have to be careful.
Thanks to everyone for all your support. He goes to get his feeding tube out on Wednesday and then we should be done with the vet for a while. It will be nice to not have to worry about him scratching at it. Then he really will be back to virtually the same dog. The only clue anyone has right now that there is anything wrong with him is the feeding tube. He's happy, has lots of energy and is back to eating up a storm, albeit slower and a little more sloppily. My husband and I have already decided to get hardwood floors installed over the summer to help with clean up. Actually, our homeowners insurance is going to cover it. I'll update again after Wednesday.

[Sophia]

My dad told me just last week about this danger to babies and pets. It's horrific, and I had never thought about the danger.

[nuhmah]

Oh, how awful! My heart goes out to you both!!

[boilermaker]

That is terrible. I'm very glad to hear Boomer will be ok. And thank you for the PSA..I am double checking my shredder tonight!

[Cricket4]

Rangerwendy, I'm not sure where you are in Texas, but yesterday I did a pet segment on the local NBC affiliate here in Houston, and the topic I had previously chosen for the segment just happened to be pet hazards.

Thanks to your story, I included in the segment a warning for pet owners to do just exactly what you instructed. It is not a hazard I ever would have thought of, and I appreciate you telling us. I hope more than a few Houston-area pet owners were watching NBC yesterday morning.

[hockeybrat]

I am so sorry to hear about your doggie :(. I hope he'll feel better soon.

We have a shredder but we keep it in the box until we do use it.

[Squee]

Wow thats horrible! Im sorry you and your baby had to go through that! Dont forget tho even tho it was terrible for your doggy you will be the most traumatzed out of this experience. Im so glad your baby is ok!

[sheartm7]

Oh my gosh - what a terrifying experience. I'm so glad he will be okay and continues to be happy. Thanks for posting this.

[IrishMeg]

I hope Boomer is doing better! :)

[jnettie]

I could only get so far into your story as your poor puppy getting his toungue stuck...then read the ETA that he's ok! How aweful! Thanks for the PSA!

Well, we have a shreader, but thankfully it's only plugged when used (we have a lack of outlets and space so we have to store the shreader and take it out to use). Jade always pokes her nose around when I use it and I always have to shoo her away. I can only imagine.

[Oakley]

OMG. I wouldn't have even thought....

I'm so glad your pup is ok. Thanks for the warning!