I'm really worried about my dog! Will he be okay?

Question

My dog just ate a chicken bone that fell on the floor. By the time I got to him, he had eaten the whole thing. It's a cooked wing bone. I've read that cooked chicken bones are really bad for dogs to eat, and I'm really scared for him. What should I do right now?

He's a 10 lb toy poodle. I just gave him more wet dog food. He's acting fine and is playing and running around. Hopefully, he's stay that way.

Answer 1

Although I try to avoid it, I have had dogs steal and eat chicken bones with no ill effects.

The hospital where I used to work would always recommend a "vaseline sandwich". Apparently the vaseline will protect and lubricate the intestines, the bread will help to coat the bones and push then through.

Other than that, just monitor your dog carefully for the next couple of weeks.

Answer 2

Well, there's not much you can do now except keep an eye on him. Making him vomit is not a good idea, because the bones can do a lot of damage on the way back up. You didn't say how big the dog is, but most likely the bone will pass through him with no problem. Watch him closely for any loss of appetite or change in behavior. If the bone gets stuck, you will need to have surgery done to remove it, and there is a chance it could perforate the intestine and kill him, so don't wait-- IF he stops eating. As long as he is eating well, he will probably pass it on through. If he is a very small dog (less than 8 lbs or so), take him to the vet now to discuss your options. Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Chicken bones (cooked) are not poisonous to dogs. it's just they are at a higher risk of getting splintered or lodged. More often than not the dog will be fine. keep an eye out for any signs of choking or trouble passing bowells. Last week I cooked a full chicken stuffed and all. I placed it on the stove to cool before serving. My mistake I went outside to talk to a neighbor. I came back to an empty platter. I still don't know which one got it but I am sure they all took part in the feast....I never even found one bone...I guess I need to do more training myself????

Answer 4

No... Just because it's down doesn't mean you're out of the woods, although you're about half way. Bones and other foreign ojbects can cause obstructions within the intestines. Watch to see if he has normal activity, appetite, and all that jazz. Also watch to make sure his bowel movements are normal - if he doesn't have any this could be a sign of obstruction or even just he's too painful to defecate. I have actually seen a large black lab not defecate due to a chicken bone in his feces - I'm sure it didn't feel so well! Make sure your little friend isn't vomiting. If he starts to look like he feels crummy, please call your vet! Smaller breeds are also prone to gastrointestinal issues, such as pancreatitis and diarrhea, if they eat something (such as people food) that they're not used to.

Good luck! Just make sure to keep your eye on him. Early detection of a problem is the key. I just don't want you to have a false sense of security and ignore any signs that your friend may give you!

Answer 5

The problem with cooked bones rather than the dog eating a chicken or bird in the wild is that cooking the bones makes them brittle. In turn, they splinter and can cause injury or get stuck in the windpipe. It's more of a worry than him just swallowing it. It can also cause perforations throughout the digestive system and colon and possibly get stuck. Right now there's nothing you can do but watch him and call your vet to be on stand by. If you notice any changes in behavior, lethargic acting, bleeding rectally, get him to the vet hospital immediately!! I do NOT agree that since it's down, he's fine. WRONG! My Dad thought the same thing with his dachshund until it torn his small intestines. He was fine because it was caught in time for surgical repair but just goes to show, just because it's down, does NOT mean the danger is gone. Danger isn't gone until the bone passes. Watch his stools, as gross as it is, to see if he passes it safely. Good luck!

Answer 6

Keep an eye on him for now, feed him some white bread to help the bone pass. The problem with chicken bones is that they can splinter, causing irritation, and sometimes they get stuck in the throat. Your dog may get an upset stomach for the next 2 days as it passes. At least it was cooked, they can catch salmonella from raw poultry same as us. If he starts vomiting, won't eat, or you are just really worried, call the vet.

Answer 7

The danger of chicken bones is that they splinter easily if the dog wasn't choking then chances are good that he will be fine but if you are still worried then call a vet and they will probably just say the same thing!

Answer 8

I have ALWAYS fed every dog ive had chicken bones and NOTHING has ever happened to any of them. All you people need to stop with the "take your dog to the vet" speach. Im sure that everyone thats asked a ?? would do that if it were possible. Alot of us can not afford a vet bill but that doesnt make us bad pet owners. And dont even try the "then you shouldnt have a pet" speach either. Alot of these dogs wouldnt even be alive if a kind hearted dog lover hadnt rescued them from somewhere. Stop wasting these peoples time and if you cant answer better than "go to the vet"---please just dont answer..

Answer 9

Depends on the size of the dog. A large breed it may pass without a problem but watch for it to pass. If there is any blood in the stool it may be cutting his intestines and needs to be surgically removed. A smaller dog you may want to go ahead and go now and get it surgically removed.

Blockages can be a real problem for your pet. We had a dane breeder give us her sick dane, come to find out he had eaten an entire dish towel and just needed it removed.

Answer 10

Dogs have been around for a very long time, eating birds too. If he is acting normal he/she will be fine. If you are real worried call the vet. Keep a eye on his/her stool, if it comes out bloody surely call the vet.
Did you see on TV last year at this time where a dog ate the Christmas tree ornaments? They took there dog to the vet and had a picture taken of the innereds of the dog. The pooch was ok...
Keep a eye on him/her....