Swallowed Bone whole!! - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

pcrotty2000 · 07-02-2009, 02:34 PM

So I gave saint a bone leftover from a bbq, I figured he would chew off the meat and then chew the bone, well i gave him the bone and put the rest of the stuff away and less than 2 minutes later I went to check on him and he already had 3/4 of it down his throat, the long ways of course, and I ran over to see if I could grab it out and he saw me coming and quickly swallowed it. It was about 4 - 5 inches long pork bone. Will he digest it ok or should I take him to the vet? He's acting fine now, he's just layin by the door watchingg me type. Any suggestions??

**Luvbirds** · 07-02-2009, 02:42 PM

Swallowing a whole bone that is cooked is very serious....you should give your vet a call and see what they advise.

You can feed pork on bones, but raw only. Cooked bones splinter.

Good luck.

Linda H · 07-02-2009, 02:45 PM

Never give your dog cooked bones, they splinter with sharp edges which can puncture to your dog's stomach, intestines.
I don't know what I would do as I don't feed cooked bones. I would probably wait it out and sweat bullets, but I am not sure as I didn't get a look at the bone before it went down.
I do know they can digest whole chicken leg bones. My first doberman snatched one out of my hand and swallowed it whole, straight down, didn't even blink. Never found a trace of it in her stools and, believe me, I did look for days.

pcrotty2000 · 07-02-2009, 02:48 PM

I know i'm an idiot and I honestly didn't think he'd put it down right away and planned on taking it away from him. THis was all in the time of putting a couple things away in the fridge and then next thing i know...
Thanks for the quick responses

Linda H · 07-02-2009, 02:55 PM

Once you give them a bone small enough to swallow whole, you can consider it gone. Apparently you didn't realize he could swallow this bone, so more advise, he could choke to death on a larger bone trying to swallow it to keep you from retrieving it. Be careful and think things out before you give your dog anymore bones, cooked or raw. Now, don't give cooked bones.

Bravo916 · 07-02-2009, 03:16 PM

Try not to beat yourself up.

Watch him very closely. If he shows any signs of distress such as pacing, unproductive vomiting, diarrhea, white gums get him to the evet.

My boy did this to me twice...once was my fault and was a similar situation to yours. The second time someone else gave one to him not thinking...before I realized what had happened it was too late.

Both times required vet visits, xrays and medicine to calm his digestive system. The first he managed to pass the bone fine, the second time he was only minutes from surgery when passed the bone.

Now when we have bbq's that involve ribs he is either locked in his crate or wears a big NO RIBS sign on his collar and there are signs all over the house.

Bravo916 · 07-02-2009, 03:18 PM

Another thought...I would get him in to the vet today to get the RX for the digestive tract because its a holiday weekend. This may save you a trip to the evet just for medication.

**boogie** · 07-02-2009, 03:19 PM

Live and learn we all make mistakes.

Lexxsmom · 07-02-2009, 03:20 PM

no cooked bones EVER... rules to live by

I think i might visit the vet... especially with your holiday coming up.

Ninabug · 07-02-2009, 03:21 PM

When this happened to my mom once before the vet recommended feeding bread, in hopes it'd incase the bone and prevent splinters from puncturing. That was many years ago, and not sure what the school of thought is now. I didn't encounter this while working for the vet, so not sure what current protocal is. I'd call the vet and see what they have to say though.

Loki · 07-02-2009, 04:07 PM

I just got my pup back a week ago from eating pork bones.. he was almost dead when I got to the vet, the bones cut up his guts and he almost bleed to death... id call the vet or take him in right away!!! this can get very serious really quickly, he could try to throw it up and cause alot of damage too. Check his poop to make sure theres no blood(dark and looks like kinda like tar)

pcrotty2000 · 07-02-2009, 04:56 PM

I took him to the Evet and they wanted to do xrays and then said that I can bring him back if he starts to become lathargic and shows signs of distress. THen they would have to do a surgery to remove it. I mean DUH, I could of told them that. i took him in to see if there was something we could do NOW, not just wait. This was an emergency vet too. My original vet suggested that I take him to the Evet to see what can be done because my vet is clear across town and wasn't even in the office today. Now i'm really stressed after reading everyones posts! The evet didn't say anything about medications but did say that I should feed him white rice and ground hamburger vs his kibble.

Shane17 · 07-02-2009, 06:27 PM

Same thing happened to my boy over the winter. Only he swallowed a chicken drummy...not very big but nonetheless, they CAN splinter. He digested it just fine. i hope yours does the same.

feuerhund · 07-02-2009, 06:34 PM

Keep an eye on him and an E-vet on the ready. Try to calm yourself and don't be a bundle of nerves. Any uneasyness or weird signs which i'm sure you would pick up, will tell you to go to vet. Other than that,be his extra-close bestfriend and check his poop. We are all here for you, hope the best and please keep us updated on the Doberhoover.

Loki · 07-02-2009, 10:10 PM

so did they take the xrays?

Dobeman · 07-02-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninabug

When this happened to my mom once before the vet recommended feeding bread, in hopes it'd incase the bone and prevent splinters from puncturing. That was many years ago, and not sure what the school of thought is now. I didn't encounter this while working for the vet, so not sure what current protocal is. I'd call the vet and see what they have to say though.

Feed as much Sauerkraut as you can get down that little throat. It will help coat the bone and hopefully it will just glide through. Good luck. He might even thow it up.

pcrotty2000 · 07-02-2009, 11:42 PM

Doberhoover! LOL thats pretty funny.
I will try bread and sauerkraut in the morning. I gave him some white rice and ground beef mix and he seems to be doing ok w/ that so far. He's actually crashed out right next to me on the couch and his head keeps bobbing off the couch hehe, so i'm keepin a good eye on him. Before he ate tonight, he had pretty bad diarhea and I tried to check for blood but didn't see anything. He also vommitted alittle bit, no food just a milky kinda clear liquid.
No I declined the Xrays because thats all they wanted to do to see where the bone was and if it was broken up or whole. They suggested that i wait to see if he shows any signs of distress first before they do surgery.

pcrotty2000 · 07-02-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane17

Same thing happened to my boy over the winter. Only he swallowed a chicken drummy...not very big but nonetheless, they CAN splinter. He digested it just fine. i hope yours does the same.

Just curious how you knew he digested it fine? Was it broken up in stool or did it just digest w/ the other food and you never saw traces of it or..? How long did it take to digest? Sorry for all the questions just trying to see how things could possibly workout for Saint.

Lexxsmom · 07-03-2009, 07:14 AM

i'd be concerned about the liquid diarrhea and throwing up bile..

that would be MORE than enough for me to get Lexx straight to the vet for those xrays as they are both signs of an intestinal blockage.

Shane17 · 07-03-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcrotty2000

Just curious how you knew he digested it fine? Was it broken up in stool or did it just digest w/ the other food and you never saw traces of it or..? How long did it take to digest? Sorry for all the questions just trying to see how things could possibly workout for Saint.

I never actually saw it come out, which means his digestive enzymes dissolved that sucker!

Loki · 07-03-2009, 11:14 AM

Hows he doing today?

pcrotty2000 · 07-03-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loki

Hows he doing today?

He's doing pretty good as far as I can tell. He's busy bugging me to play catch and tug. He's pretty active still but i'm trying to keep him at a lower energy level.

Flintpond · 07-03-2009, 12:52 PM

I am sorry to hear that he swallowed the pork bone.... I will be following your thread anxiously awaiting the news that he passed it and he's ok. Please keep us updated. How old is he now ?..just curious, I see it says 9 weeks on your avatar but not sure if it's been updated recently.
Poor little guy... believe me though, this is just the beginning of him giving you panic and worry. Dobes tend to do that, scare us to death. ( I swear there should be warnings that if you are to own a Dobe, you better have pet insurance or a savings just for emergency vet visits )
Hope all is fine....think positive!!

elle · 07-04-2009, 12:38 PM

It wasn't that you went to the e-vet and they did nothing --- you DECLINED what they wanted to do.

X-rays would have been very valuable at this point, if he chewed the bone well and it was all broken up still in his stomach they could have induced vomiting to get it out. Or if he chewed and it was already moving through his GI tract they could have told you that he'll likely pass it alright and may just have some diarrhea. OR, they could have seen that he swallowed it whole and it is much too big to pass from his stomach and he should be admitted to the hospital as it is very likely he will need surgery.

Don't try to blame the e-clinic for doing nothing - they offered appropriate care and you tied their hands by declining. What did you expect?

I agree with lexxsmom, ANY vomiting or diarrhea would be reason enough to go back in for x-rays as those are the NUMBER ONE signs of intestinal blockage. I know you didn't mean for this to happen and nobody is blaming you as it was an honest mistake, but it seems like you don't understand the true severity of the situation. Intestinal obstructions can be life-threatening. Dogs do die of this every day! And the longer you wait if he does have an obstruction, the chances that he'll do well in the end get lower and lower. Young dogs often don't show any decreases in energy level or signs of pain from obstructions until they're knocking on death's door. Any more vomiting or diarrhea (even if its just bile or normal colored diarrhea) and I think you should get straight back to the vet.

I also, personally, wouldn't mess around with giving lots of strange foods when the GI tract could already be in distress - I'd stick with the vet's recommendation of a bland diet only as feeding other things that could cause GI distress will make it harder to determine if the GI upset is from the bone he ate or from other things you fed him.

Good luck! Hope your boy is one of the lucky ones who manages to do such a silly dog thing and make it through with no problems!

pcrotty2000 · 07-04-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elle

It wasn't that you went to the e-vet and they did nothing --- you DECLINED what they wanted to do.

X-rays would have been very valuable at this point, if he chewed the bone well and it was all broken up still in his stomach they could have induced vomiting to get it out. Or if he chewed and it was already moving through his GI tract they could have told you that he'll likely pass it alright and may just have some diarrhea. OR, they could have seen that he swallowed it whole and it is much too big to pass from his stomach and he should be admitted to the hospital as it is very likely he will need surgery.

Don't try to blame the e-clinic for doing nothing - they offered appropriate care and you tied their hands by declining. What did you expect?

I agree with lexxsmom, ANY vomiting or diarrhea would be reason enough to go back in for x-rays as those are the NUMBER ONE signs of intestinal blockage. I know you didn't mean for this to happen and nobody is blaming you as it was an honest mistake, but it seems like you don't understand the true severity of the situation. Intestinal obstructions can be life-threatening. Dogs do die of this every day! And the longer you wait if he does have an obstruction, the chances that he'll do well in the end get lower and lower. Young dogs often don't show any decreases in energy level or signs of pain from obstructions until they're knocking on death's door. Any more vomiting or diarrhea (even if its just bile or normal colored diarrhea) and I think you should get straight back to the vet.

I also, personally, wouldn't mess around with giving lots of strange foods when the GI tract could already be in distress - I'd stick with the vet's recommendation of a bland diet only as feeding other things that could cause GI distress will make it harder to determine if the GI upset is from the bone he ate or from other things you fed him.

Good luck! Hope your boy is one of the lucky ones who manages to do such a silly dog thing and make it through with no problems!

Thank you for the response! He has passed a couple small piece last night and this morning. The pieces were imbedded in the stool both times. We are concerned about the rest of the bone being so sharp and taking too long to pass and have his stomach in a mess to say the least for a more than a couple days so we are going to take him in for xrays and do whatever needs to be done.
I DO understand the severity of the issue thats why within a few minutes of this happening, I came here for some advice because I knew it wasn't good. Yes I did decline the xrays at the E-vet because they wanted to send him home anyways. He was at the vet within 30 mins of swallowing the bone and they suggested xrays and a bland diet to see if it passes. It didn't make sense to do xrays if they were going to send him home right away anyways. I'll give everyone an update as soon as I know, thanks for the responses and concerns!