On November 15, 1999, Rambo, our four-year old poodle,
died of complications from surgery performed four days earlier. The
purpose of the surgery was to explore for and remove an obstruction in
his digestive tract that did not show up on X-ray. The vet removed two
pieces of plastic that were identified as parts of a Flexibone. It had
been taken away from him at least six months earlier when it was noticed
that part of one end had been chewed away. The Flexibone was supposed to
clean Rambo's teeth. Instead, it killed him.
One of the Flexibone parts was about 3/4" (2 cm) in
diameter. The other was oval shaped at the base with diameters of about
3/4" and 1" (2 and 2.5 cm). Some of the raised tips (knobs) had been
partially chewed away from the base. They acted like fishhooks to
entwine some fabric from one of his toys that had more recently been
swallowed. Had it not been for the parts of Flexibone lying in his gut,
the fabric would have been either digested or passed through. The
combination lodged at the outlet of his stomach and the inlet of his
intestines.
Flexibone (also look for Plaque-Out and Dental Bone on
the label) is manufactured and marketed by Nylabone. It has the ASPCA
seal of approval. It is flavor impregnated so a dog will naturally try
to eat it. But Nylabone states, "The product is not designed to be
consumed although small pieces are harmless if swallowed." Well, tell
that to Rambo!
Currently, we have identified the following retailers
that sell the product:
* PetsMart
* Wal-Mart
* Pet*USA (mail-order)
As they are identified, other retailers that sell
Flexibone will be added to this list. Our cause is not extortion or
product liability litigation. It is to prevent the best pal of someone
else from being killed by a Flexibone or a product similar to it.
If your pet died under similar circumstances, please
email the details. At the very least, please tell your vet, your
groomer; your pet supplier, your friends and anyone else who cares that
Flexibone is a killer.
Source:
[email protected]
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