Intestinal Disorders in Dogs After Ingesting Bone

All bones are unsafe for your dog to chew.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the idea of feeding dogs bones. On April 20, 2010, however, the FDA issued a statement saying that bones are indeed a health risk to dogs for several reasons, including intestinal problems. Bone pieces and shards can break off as the dog chews the bone and be swallowed. If they manage to pass into the intestine, they could cause a blockage or rip the lining, causing internal bleeding.

Misconceptions

Many dog owners have fed bones to their dogs for years, thinking that it is a healthy addition to the dogs' diet. Bones have been praised for keeping tartar down and teeth strong, and dogs naturally love them. There have been myths that chicken bones are the only dangerous bones, or that bones are safe as long as they are raw. The health risks involved with bone ingestion outweigh all these potential benefits. Raw bones have been found to be a greater risk for salmonella, and are still just as dangerous to ingest as cooked bones. Chicken bones do rank high in terms of danger due to their small, delicate size, but all other bones have been shown to break down into dangerous fragments as well.

Effects

Blockages in the intestine are common when a dog swallows a bone of substantial size. It may make it as far as the intestines but then become lodged. This can be a major problem for the normal ins and outs of the dog and can create severe complications. Constipation would be expected, especially if there are sharp edges that make bowel movements painful as well as difficult. Those sharp edges could also cause tearing of the intestinal lining. This can result in internal bleeding, bloody stool and bleeding from the anus.

Peritonitis

If the intestinal lining has been torn by ingested bone fragments, a bacterial infection called peritonitis can occur. It is an infection of the peritoneum, which is a thin membrane that lines the dog's abdominal walls. This is a serious infection that can spread quickly throughout the body if left untreated.

Treatment

Depending on the complications from swallowing the bone, a dog may need surgery and/or antibiotics. It is always important to take your dog to a veterinarian immediately if you suspect intestinal problems of any kind, especially if your dog exhibits any symptoms involving bloody stool or a bloody anus.

Prevention/Solution

According to the Food and Drug Administration, you should not feed any type of bone to your dog under any circumstances. They are considered overall unsafe. Many other substances are available for dogs to chew in place of bones that are much safer. You should always be around when your dog chews something new for the first time.

Considerations

There are health risks other than intestinal problems with dogs chewing bones. Those risks include broken teeth, gum problems, choking, and bones getting stuck all along the way, from the esophagus to the stomach. Bones can tear holes in any portion of the digestive system, causing similarly dangerous health issues to your pet that would require immediate attention from a veterinarian.

References

• FDA: No Bones About It: Bones are Unsafe for Your Dog
• The Dog Health Guide: Dog Health Blood In Stool
• Mayo Clinic: Peritonitis