all about dogs

I know, I know. When your dog turns on the charm under the dinner table, she’s hard to resist. The big brown eyes, the turbo-charged wagging tail – it’s a lot for any dog lover to resist. Before you throw her a chicken bone (“just this once”) consider exactly where that chicken bone may end up and the havoc that could possibly ensue:

1. Broken teeth and mouth injuries. Cooked bones are especially hard and may easily splinter into sharp, razor-like pieces. Some pieces may even work their way into your dog’s teeth and require removal by your vet.

2. Blocked windpipe. The sharp pieces may block your pet’s windpipe so that he couldn’t breathe.

3. Damaged Esophagus. The tube that leads to the stomach could be injured when your dog tries to swallow the sharp pieces.

4. Intestinal injuries. The pieces that get past the mouth, the windpipe, the esophagus could puncture your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, causing internal bleeding. Left untreated, such injury could lead to death. Impacted intestines may to blood toxicity and death.

5. Peritonitis. Peritonitis is the infection of the lining of the abdominal cavity. It’s caused by bone splinters piercing holes in the lining, and it’s particularly difficult to treat as well as excruciating for your dog.

6. Constipation. Chicken bones give a whole new meaning to painful elimination. As sharp pieces of bones rub and chafe their way through the large intestine and rectum, they cause agonizing pain for your dog.

7. Injured Rectum. Never mind what your dog’s severely bleeding rectum will do to your Persian rug, this injury requires immediate medical attention.

Now that you know why you shouldn’t give your dog a bone (even with a nick, nack, paddywack), you may want to consider that your dog may not be so logical. Left unchecked, her nose and appetite can land her in the vet hospital in a heartbeat. A brief shining moment when chicken bones are left in a pet-accessible trash can is all a nosy beagle needs! Even a gentlemanly standard poodle can’t be trusted if he runs across a tempting bone along your routine neighborhood walk.

It’s up to you to be vigilant – to be sure everyone in your family is careful to clear and clean up after a chicken dinner. Watch your pet closely on walks. If she’s allowed off lead at a dog park or other safe area, stay close!

While symptoms like broken teeth or a blocked windpipe are immediately evident, symptoms for intestinal injuries are not. These symptoms are: vomiting, sensitivity of the abdomen, rectal bleeding and discharge, diarrhea and constipation.

If your dog experiences any of these symptoms or she simply doesn’t seem “quite right” don’t hesitate to call your vet!