While some bones are great for dogs to chew on, poultry bones, particularly cooked chicken bones, should never be given to dogs since they can be quite brittle and may splinter easily, which can cause a lot of internal damage. As a dog owner, it is important to react quickly to ensure that your dog does not suffer ill health from consuming cooked chicken bones. If your dog has eaten raw chicken bones, take the following steps:
Monitor Stool
It probably sounds gross, but if your dog eats chicken bones you will need to monitor his stool to ensure that the shards of bones are passing. It is a good idea to accompany your dog outside any time he needs to go to the bathroom. Make sure you wear gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. If you notice any blood in the stool or if your dog is struggling to pass bowel movements, seek immediate veterinary care.
Watch for Changes in Temperament
Best case scenario, chewed up chicken bones will be passed in the stool. But it is possible for the shards of bone to become stuck in the digestive tract, which can cause a lot of problems. If your dog suddenly starts acting lethargic, moody, or shows signs of being in pain, go to your vet or an emergency animal clinic as quickly as your can. A veterinarian can take x-rays and determine where the bones are located within the digestive tract. Surgery may be needed if there are shards of bone that are causing internal damage.
Consider a Change in Diet
After your dog eats chicken bones, you may want to change his diet for a couple of days. Bland foods, such as boiled chicken, plain cooked ground beef, and rice are very gentle on the stomach and easy to digest. Feeding your dogs these foods may help him pass the bones more quickly.
Never Induce Vomiting
Inducing vomiting is sometimes recommended if a dog consumes something that is poisonous or can hurt them, but you should never do so if your dog has eaten cooked chicken bones. The reason that inducing vomiting is not a good idea is because the shards of chicken bones can puncture the esophagus or cause other damage as they come back up when vomiting. If you are worried about how many chicken bones your dog ate, contact a vet or visit an emergency animal clinic like 1st Pet Veterinary Centers for assistance.
Share16 December 2016
Do you know the types of diseases that are most likely to cause death in dogs? My name is Anne, and I have owned several dogs in the my lifetime. I enjoy training, playing with, and caring for dogs of all sizes and breeds. Throughout my time as a dog owner, I have discovered that there are several illnesses that are common causes of death in dogs and that some breeds are more likely to get these diseases than other breeds. This blog will explain various common deadly diseases in dogs and give advice about how to prevent and treat these illnesses.
