Matchstick disappeared, need advise!

[marysmiles]

Ok this may sound like a crazy question, but a necessary one! My friend is going to dog training school & I followed her advise. (I would have thought that a school that trains dogs would have the right ideas)! When trying to help my dog overcome a constipation issue, they have taught her to try inserting a small portion of a matchstick into the dog's butt & this will trigger him to do his duty. The matchstick is to only be inserted a tiny bit, most of it still sticking out. I did this to my dog and walked with him to see if it would work. My eyes didnt leave him for 30 seconds, but when I looked to see if it was still in the same place - it wasnt there. I retraced our steps totally & throughly and cannot find the matchstick! I think it may have went up inside him!! Not good huh? Well, since that he has done his duty, but no matchstick came out with the poop. I have no clue, but im thinking it's still inside him. I dont know if I need to be worried. My dog is a 45# beagle. I know lots of dogs eat bones & various things, so im thinking a little wooden matchstick will soften up in a couple days & just get pooped out? I need some advise on what everyone else thinks? I can tell you i'll never be doing this trick again!!! btw, the match head was removed from the match before the insert, the wooden stick is the only issue.

[marysmiles]

Ok, my daughter found the matchstick in the yard, I was worried for nothing! I'll not try that again!

[MJDCMAKI]

Originally Posted by marysmiles

Ok, my daughter found the matchstick in the yard, I was worried for nothing! I'll not try that again!

Does the dog have this constipation problem all the time or just this once. We have had trouble with the same thing in other dogs that we have had and we used Libby's pumpkin pie mix. It works wonders. Veterinarian RECOMMENDED!

[dander]

I'm thinking next time, cardboard matchstick!

[Whizzy]

The match trick is an old one. We used to "match" dogs prior to entering the show ring, so if anything was in there it would be eliminated in the ex-pen, not the show ring. But you're supposed to use cardboard matches, not wooden ones.

Also, don't use pumpkin pie mix...too much sugar and spice. Use plain canned pumpkin or cooked sweet potato.