A couple months ago we received a claim with the following diagnosis information: “Swallowed TV Remote Control (see attached photo)… please contact if you need additional information.” My first thought was, I’ve got to see that picture. My second thought was, yes, I am going to need additional information. I’ve seen a lot of strange foreign body claims, but never one for an ingested remote control.
Dennis Lacaze of Houston, Texas, said his dog Buster, who he rescued as a puppy after finding it wandering in his neighborhood, has always had a taste for electronics. In addition, the German shepherd and Great Dane mix was larger than any of the other dogs Dennis had owned and could easily reach areas that previous dogs could not—the top of the coffeetable, or kitchen counter.
Dennis feels the whole episode was a great learning experience for him—and for Buster. They now make sure to keep items such as remotes and cell phones safely in drawers or out of Buster’s considerable reach. Additionally, Buster now has his own toy box where he can keep his “chewables.”
