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-   -   Swallow hazard: magnetic balls, or "Buckyballs." (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/281699-swallow-hazard-magnetic-balls-buckyballs.html)

pstinard 02-17-2015 10:35 AM
Swallow hazard: magnetic balls, or "Buckyballs."
 
While searching for scholarly articles about Yorkies, I came across a recent article about a Yorkie that swallowed some toy magnetic balls, sold under the name "Buckyballs." Magnetic balls are extremely dangerous for Yorkies (or children, for that matter) to swallow, because even if they are swallowed separately, their magnetism is so strong that they will seek each other out and perforate the digestive tract like a bullet. The Yorkie who swallowed the Buckyballs died a couple of days after surgery. The article is thankfully behind a paywall so you can't view the x-rays, but you can read the abstract here: Multiple magnetic gastrointestinal foreign bodies in a dog .

I thought that this was just a freak accident, but it turns out that Buckyballs, which used to be widely sold, have been completely recalled due to children swallowing them. Here is an article in the popular press about their recall: How Buckyballs Fell Apart .

Please search among your children's toys, and if you find any magnetic balls, discard them IMMEDIATELY.

pstinard 02-17-2015 10:48 AM
A quick Google search reveals that Buckyballs are still being sold, both under their original name and under other names. The hazard has not ended :mad: . Do NOT buy these for children, and do NOT buy them if you have any pets.

Wylie's Mom 02-18-2015 08:13 AM
Wow, scary. Good warning!

lisaly 02-18-2015 08:26 PM
Thank you for sharing this with us. I read the abstract and Gizmodo article. I usually always believe the best in people, but this one was difficult for me. Knowing how powerful these magnets are, I'm sure someone considered how dangerous they would be in the hands of small children--or even pets. This is one of those times that profits made were more important than the innocent lives that were harmed or lost. How heartbreaking and disillusioning! My Katie does not usually put things in her mouth that she's not supposed to have. Even so, I would not have this in my home or classroom.

pstinard 02-19-2015 10:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by lisaly (Post 4531185)
Thank you for sharing this with us. I read the abstract and Gizmodo article. I usually always believe the best in people, but this one was difficult for me. Knowing how powerful these magnets are, I'm sure someone considered how dangerous they would be in the hands of small children--or even pets. This is one of those times that profits made were more important than the innocent lives that were harmed or lost. How heartbreaking and disillusioning! My Katie does not usually put things in her mouth that she's not supposed to have. Even so, I would not have this in my home or classroom.
Our Bella wouldn't normally eat a strange object, but she LOVES frozen peas, so it's conceivable that she might mistake a small magnetic ball for a pea, especially if it fell on the floor and she snatched it up before she realized what it was.

yorkietalkjilly 02-19-2015 11:32 AM
I don't even know what these are but they sure don't look safe around dogs or little kids! Thanks for the warning!!!

pstinard 02-19-2015 11:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly (Post 4531298)
I don't even know what these are but they sure don't look safe around dogs or little kids! Thanks for the warning!!!
They are tiny magnetic balls that are 3 millimeters across, so they are the size of a large beebee or a small pea. Here is a link to some photos:https://www.google.com/search?site=&...yballs+magnets

They are extremely dangerous to both pets and children!

yorkietalkjilly 02-19-2015 11:51 AM
They look fascinating to play with but also very dangerous for any little ones around.


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