Featured Case Archive

Battery charged

Paws of the Rockies Case of the MonthDogs and batteries do not mix.  But Mocha, a one-year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, found this out the hard way. Chewing on a C-battery did not cause immediate discomfort, but within a day, chemical burns appeared throughout her mouth.  Acid from the battery had leaked from one of the several holes she chewed into the battery, leaving its residue on her oral tissues. Mocha’s owners took the battery away as soon as they realized what she had chewing. They rinsed her mouth out with water and called poison control. Paws of the Rockies Case of the MonthThey did what they were supposed to do, but it was too late.

The next day, Mocha’s gums, tongue, and cheeks were swollen, skin was burned, and lesions appeared.  Some lesions were so deep that bone was exposed.   After examination, Dr. Mark Holmes was not sure if antibiotics and pain meds would be enough to get Mocha through this incident or if she would need surgical debridement and skin grafts. Mocha slowly improved, with the help of her owners, Lisa and Brad. Because of the burns and sores in her mouth, Mocha did not show interest in eating, drinking, or playing. Lisa and Brad watered down canned food and made sure Mocha got proper nutrition during the healing process. If Mocha would not eat on her own, they would syringe feed her. 

Paws of the Rockies Case of the MonthMocha quickly improved after starting her antibiotics. The odor of infection disappeared, and granulation tissues started to form.  Within days she seemed less painful and more playful.

After her 2-week recheck, Mocha was allowed to start eating her regular dry food, softened with water.  She was also given permission to play with toys again. The lesions in her mouth were healed enough that the toys would not cause more damage to the sensitive oral tissues.  Paws of the Rockies Case of the Month

Mocha was lucky that her owners caught her when they did.  Things could have turned out drastically worse had she swallowed the battery or chewed on it longer.  The burns were already on the border of needing surgical repair.  Luck was on their side that day and Mocha is on her way to a complete recovery.