What if dog swallows bone

However, there are some potential hazards for dogs that are tempted to eat chicken bones. Potential Obstruction Cooked bones tend to be slightly softer than raw bones, but some such as the thigh bone can be quite large relative to the size of the dog.

Risk of Tearing the GI Tract Chicken bones splinter easily, and when they are swallowed, they can cause perforation of the esophagus or the intestinal tract. Contamination From Bacteria Particularly if the chicken is uncooked, your dog is at risk of exposure to bacteria like salmonella. What to Do If Your Dog Chokes on a Chicken Bone If you are concerned that the bone is stuck in the upper airway or the upper intestinal tract, this is an emergency and should be addressed immediately.

However, if it is not immediately visible, take your pet to the vet as quickly as possible. By: Dr. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. If the dog is not displaying any signs of discomfort after swallowing a bone, it will likely be fine.

However, it is best to observe the dog during the next few days to make sure that it passes the bone without issue. Look for signs like constipation, which will likely be caused by bone fragments, or bleeding from the rectum. Although it does not occur often, the bone or bones ingested by the dog may become stuck in the GI tract, which will likely require surgery. If the foreign object is chewed up, the sharp edges of plastic or bone can pierce the intestine, causing peritonitis an infection in the abdomen.

However, if your dog is acting ill, then it requires more immediate treatment. Some symptoms that indicate that your dog needs immediate veterinary treatment include: [1].

Dog owners are often told never to let their pet eat chicken bones.