aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 We gave our boy a huge bone on saturday night cos we were going out for a few hours. He then spent most of sunday trying to vomit at regular intervals (I assume a chunk of bone, because he's done this before...). He hasn't managed to bring anything up yet, and was still gagging occasionally when I just checked on him at lunch today. He's still otherwise bight and happy, and his tummy doesn't feel uncomfortable. He's still eating fine, and hasn't brought his dinner up (we fed his dinner in two batches to make sure it stayed down ok). I'm guessing he's not very comfortable, but I'm not quite sure at what stage a vet visit is in order? What would a vet be likely to do in this situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 he may be trying to bring up a chunk ...(what sort of bone was it exactly? )..he may have a scratch or something in his throat ..he may have a bit of gristle floating around ...or it may be something else entirely .... Cannot say what a vet might do , because there is no way I can guess as to what is wrong ,sorry is he pooing OK ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) It was a huge marrow bone - um, not really sure on other details. It was split at the butcher lengthways so he had half. I can take a picture of the other half when I get home if needed. I think it could be one of the end bits from the joint, cos the large middle section is still present and accounted for... There was one other occasion where he brought up a big chunk of bone at 5am and it sounded the same, so that's why I think that's what's going on here. He just hasn't had any luck getting it up yet, and it's obviously still bothering him. I saw him squat to poo this morning but I was in the middle of putting the whippersnipper away - then when I went back to check if he'd had any luck I couldn't find the exact spot... I'm pretty sure I saw him go yesterday though, which was also after he started gagging. I think if there's no improvement by tomorrow I'll take him to the vet. Any suggestions on SAFE bones he could have - primarily for teeth cleaning and good old doggy pleasure?! ETA we usually give him small lamb marrow bones, and haven't had any issues with those yet. We use these huge ones on special occasions like christmas or birthdays or actually trying to have a night out for once :) Edited April 14, 2014 by aliwake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 If he is still gagging/retching occasionally you should take him now. They will probably xray to see if there's any bone lodged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Ok... with marrowbones- they can come off in sharp edged chunks or splinters on occasion ..when they do cause probs. Millions of dogs eat them ... but .... using things like frozen turkey necks/wings , or whole lamb necks , beef brisket bones are safer - as they don't splinter ..they are not as hard/dense. Anyhow - he needs to visit a vet who just doesn't say "take him home & watch him" ;) & I hope he's feeling comfortable soon. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) Thanks guys - I just called our vet and they're really busy this arvo, but a friend of ours is a vet there, so they're going to get her to call me when she's out of surgery. she'll either squeeze us in or come have a look on her way home I'm guessing. Thanks for the suggestions pers - I've managed to get lamb necks before, so might try to stick to those - I've always wondered if they were too soft to do the teeth any good though? I have what I think are some beef brisket bones in the freezer at the moment, but for some reason they make me nervous - sharp edges maybe? ETA sounds like they're a better option than the marrow bones though. It is typical - if there is anything that might go wrong, it will happen to Nixon. Edited April 14, 2014 by aliwake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 I just found this pic with the same kind of bone on Christmas day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) The best bones for teeth , are the ones a dog can sit & GNAW his meal off ..using all those sides of his teeth ,as he chews/tears, not crunches .A bit like us chewing corn off a cob - rather than crunching a stick of celery . :) Edited April 14, 2014 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Makes sense - thanks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 ..just saw your photo :) yep :) he can gnaw the ends of these ..b ut there are those hard shiny surfaces which sometimes also come away a bit like a half egg ... they slide down easily ..but cannot get thru any further . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 If they can't fit you in today I would ask if you can drop him off on your way to work tomorrow to stay the day. We've had two like that, one was a huge chop we got out using an endoscope and the other was a knuckle bone that the specialist managed to reef out with his hands. The second was like you describe, the dog could eat but obviously something was not quite right. The best thing about lodged bones is if there is a bit stuck, it will show up on xray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) you paint a vivid picture Pers - I'm freaking out a bit now! I don't remember him gagging saturday night after we got home at all, but he did have a 2nd run at the bone on sunday morning. I would have thought the end pieces would have been long gone by then though, so who knows. I'll be able to wrap up at work shortly so will take him to the vet and they can find a way to squeeze him in! Thanks for sharing the first hand experiences S&T - did the dog have to be anaesthetised for the 2nd one? He's 14 months old and has had 4 GAs already. I know the vet says it's not an issue but I don't like it. Hooray for insurance though. Edited April 14, 2014 by aliwake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 If it does need a GA and they're already busy - it might be better to drop him off in the morning... They're not going to want to do surgery at 5.30pm unless it's life threatening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 The marrow bones don't clean teeth they generally wear them down bones can be good if the right ones are used to do the job the wrong ones are a nightmare & i will be honest and say our dogs never get left unattended with bones. Yep turkey necks,lamb flaps things that require all over chewing . Marrow bones are also so fatty & often are part of the pancreatitis factor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Give him a teaspoon of Active Manuka Honey (highest UMF as possible) a few times each day for the next couple of days, or until the coughing/gagging stops, whichever is the sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 you paint a vivid picture Pers - I'm freaking out a bit now! I don't remember him gagging saturday night after we got home at all, but he did have a 2nd run at the bone on sunday morning. I would have thought the end pieces would have been long gone by then though, so who knows. I'll be able to wrap up at work shortly so will take him to the vet and they can find a way to squeeze him in! Thanks for sharing the first hand experiences S&T - did the dog have to be anaesthetised for the 2nd one? He's 14 months old and has had 4 GAs already. I know the vet says it's not an issue but I don't like it. Hooray for insurance though. I can't remember to be honest. We sent that dog on to the specialist thinking it would need surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wundahoo Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 He needs to be checked by a vet ASAP and if it was my dog I would ask for an xray of neck, chest and abdomen. If there is a bone stuck in his oesophagus then it might be able to be retrieved using an endoscope. If it's in his stomach or intestines and is large or sharp edged then he may need surgery to get it out. If left too long there can be some really major damage done in a relatively short space of time. It's best to get it checked out sooner rather than later, before there is major damage done to his insides. Bones can cause necrosis, rupture or tearing of the oesophagus as well as blockage of stomach or intestines and can lead to some very serious consequences. If you get him checked and there is nothing there, then that's fine but it's best to know what you are looking now at rather than spend a couple of days wondering, only to find that there is a major problem..... solve it quickly. Manuka honey might help soothe or heal a scratched oesophagus but it wont get a stuck bone out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Hope he is ok. I would have been at the vet at 9am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Hope he is ok. I would have been at the vet at 9am Ours opens at 08:00am That excludes the phone calls made as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Thanks guys. He was doing zoomies around the backyard when I got home, and there were some very big fresh poos in the yard. I also haven't heard him gagg in the 2 hours I've been home. The vet hasn't called yet, so I'll give her a call after dinner. If she's concerned we'll can either see the emergency vet or head in first thing tomorrow. I'm inclined to see how he goes cos he's been extremely perky this arvo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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