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AIBU?

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Original poster

To call the vet tonight?

50 replies

Ishacoco · 21/08/2022 22:22

DP (not an experienced dog owner) gave our dog a cooked lamb bone (leg). I didn't see it happen and by the time I realised and grabbed it off him he'd already eaten most of it.

I'm petrified a shard of bone is going puncture his throat or stomach or something. Can a vet do anything?? He seems absolutely fine in himself and has since eaten dinner but I wouldn't know if his stomach was seriously injured would I? Google has not helped me 😞 Talked about bacterial infections creeping in from injuries and affecting his heart. He's my absolute world, I can't bear the thought of anything happening to him.

I'm furious with DP, but he didn't know.

OP posts:
Jojobees · 21/08/2022 22:24

Has your insurance got a vet phone triage service?
if we were ever unsure if emergency vet was required we called them.
I hope your pooch is ok.

Whattodoaboutworknow · 21/08/2022 22:25

Do you have insurance, my insurance has a 24 hour helpline, you can call for advice?

If not, I understand you must be worried but I would be tempted to wait until tomorrow as the dog is currently fine. You could even set your alarm to wake up during the night to check on dog if you’re worried?

Datgal · 21/08/2022 22:27

No, there's probably nothing a vet can do now. If they induce vomitting, can do as much damage on the way up as on the way out. Just keep your eye on him. Watch out for any vomitting, not wanting to eat, lethargy. Straight to vet if anything like that.
Chances are, he'll be fine though. Phone vet in the morning if you're still worried. But they'll just say monitor him. Other than open him up, there is nothing they can do.

Amicompletelyinsane · 21/08/2022 22:28

The vet won't do much anyway. Just keep an eye on the dog. When dogs eat something they shouldn't they can be injected to make them vomit. But we wouldn't do this with a bone as the risk of causing damage in bringing it back up is as bad as it going through. Just observe and hopefully it got chewed and passes through. Watch for any lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, signs of pain etc

Original poster
Ishacoco · 21/08/2022 22:28

I don't know about the insurance. I could call and see what they advise if they have an out of hours number couldn't I? He's never been ill, just to the vet for vaccinations and check ups so I don't know them very well.

Oh he's definitely sleeping in with me tonight!

OP posts:
Datgal · 21/08/2022 22:28

And you would know if something was wrong...trust me. Any change in his behaviour then phone the vet.

Original poster
Ishacoco · 21/08/2022 22:30

Ok. Thanks everyone, I feel less panicked now. I'm so cross, this was totally avoidable. DP feels dreadful and has offered to pay for any treatment but I don't care about the money. Ddog is worth any amount.

OP posts:
ComplexNeeds · 21/08/2022 22:34

I thought you could give dogs bones as long as cooked (and NOT chicken bones). I thought a lamb leg bone would be fine. Is this not the case?

Rainraingoaway21 · 21/08/2022 22:35

My dog grabbed a chicken bone so quickly when my DH dropped it, I was like you, really panicked, but decided to wait and see how she was. She was absolutely fine!

HardRockOwl · 21/08/2022 22:36

Seems a bit of an overreaction to me. Dogs have been eating bones since time began. And yes, I know it's not ideal but if he's absolutely fine then I'm sure that will stay the case

I feel rather sorry for your partner tbh

GetOffTheRoof · 21/08/2022 22:38

My absolute gannet of a mutt (cross greyhound, malamute and husky mostly) stole a roasted chicken carcass out the bin a few years ago and pretty much swallowed it whole......

My uncle is a vet, so I messaged him and he said there's nothing much anyone could do because forcing a dog to vomit bones back up is more risky than allowing it to go through the digestive system. We were to keep a close eye on her for a few days.

She slept in our room that night, belly totally distended 🙄 and I've never seen so much poop come out a dog as she passed in the next 72hrs. No other side effects.

Sometimes you live and learn. Bones now go straight out into the outdoor bin here!

By all means ring the OOH vet for advice, but I think they'll say to wait it out.

Newuser82 · 21/08/2022 22:41

Please don't panic. Your dog seems fine at the moment. Just keep an eye and if you notice any vomiting or anything like that then give the vet a call then. Hopefully all will be fine. I certainly wouldn't ring the vet as an emergency tonight unless something changes (ex vet nurse of over 10 years).

Costacoffeeplease · 21/08/2022 22:44

Raw bones are ok, cooked bones are not as they can splinter easily.

Had you not warned your dp of the risk?

Original poster
Ishacoco · 21/08/2022 22:45

Thank you everyone. I can be a bit paranoid about him, that's true.
I'll keep a close eye on him tonight and call in the morning if I feel he needs to be seen. Your experiences have all helped, thank you.

Ps. This is him 💕

To call the vet tonight?
OP posts:
Original poster
Ishacoco · 21/08/2022 22:46

Costacoffeeplease · 21/08/2022 22:44

Raw bones are ok, cooked bones are not as they can splinter easily.

Had you not warned your dp of the risk?

Apparently not 😞 Hd just thought bones = dog.

OP posts:
allboysherebutme · 21/08/2022 22:47

As long as he's not vomiting and is eating and drinking he should be fine, if he's eaten a little shard it will probably come out in his toilet.

GCAcademic · 21/08/2022 22:47

ComplexNeeds · 21/08/2022 22:34

I thought you could give dogs bones as long as cooked (and NOT chicken bones). I thought a lamb leg bone would be fine. Is this not the case?

No, the opposite. Raw bones are OK, not cooked.

allboysherebutme · 21/08/2022 22:48

@Costacoffeeplease our vet told us not to give our dogs bones Raw or cooked as they're all not good for them. X

Hshhshsh · 21/08/2022 22:51

If you love him so much, have him in your room every night (yes I'm one of those who let my dog sleep in my bed with me 😂)

Duettino · 21/08/2022 22:51

Just watch out for symptoms. My dog has ate a few cooked chicken bones in his day (much to my anger) and been fine. I can't remember the symptoms but Google and keep an eye out. Insurance typically don't cover for out of hours appointment additional costs (and they are extortionate) so bear that in mind if it's just to check up on ddog.

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 21/08/2022 22:53

As I understand it the guidelines are 1) never give cooked bones of any kind because they can splinter, and 2) never give weight bearing bones from an animal bigger than they are, because they can break their teeth on them. There are a lot of different views though, some people would never give bones of any kind.

IAmAWomanNotACis · 21/08/2022 22:55

Chances are he will be absolutely fine. It wasn't many years ago that it was perfectly normal to give cooked bones to dogs routinely - I can remember as a kid our dogs having the occasional ham bone as a treat. Whilst popular opinion has changed and we (almost!) all know better than to risk it now, it did used to be commonplace and most of the time for most dogs, there was never a problem.

badbaduncle · 21/08/2022 22:55

In developing countries dogs are routinely fed bones. It is fine. I agree that it can in some cases be dangerous and cause harm but it is very very rare. You know your dog very well OP so you will know if they are in pain

Zeb81 · 21/08/2022 22:59

The vets gave my boy liquid parafin to move things through his system when he ate something he shouldn't containing bones, it was gross and he shit a lot over the next few hours which was upsetting for him at the time but was ultimately ok. I would monitor keeping an eye out for pain or injury.

RunningFromInsanity · 21/08/2022 23:01

People have been giving dogs cooked and uncooked bones for centuries, and in most countries still do.

You need to chill out on your partner.

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