What to expect after the dog ate ...

[Happytodayhappytomorrow]

... either a dead rat or a dead squirrel?
So far, he seems his normal self apart from sulking as I won’t let him out of the kitchen.

Please don’t berate me about my dog owning responsibility.
I took my eyes off him for minutes while I picked up a poo (and not even my dog’s poo! Some random poo that another dog had left on the path) and when I turned around he was on the other side of the field eating something.
Nothing worked with getting him to drop, leave, come etc

I could see a tail and a leg hanging out of his mouth as he was desperately trying to crunch through it, fur and all.
I think he pretty much swallowed it whole.

Yes, he is going to be muzzle trained now.

What should I expect by way of sickness, diarrhoea etc?

TIA

I would be worried about secondary poisoning if it were a rat but other than that I wouldn't expect too much in the way of an upset stomach, dogs are made of stern stuff when it comes to eating dead stuff.

I don’t think you need to muzzle him. This stuff happens.

My dog ate a mouse he caught and killed.
No effect.
Plus I’m sure he eats tons of stuff when he runs out of sight in the woods.

Dogs do that, given half a chance. They are scavengers, after all. Like @bloodywhitecat says they have much tougher stomachs than us. He should be absolutely fine. His farts will be utterly vile , though

Depends if he caught and ate it or if he found it dead and ate it I’d guess. As in how long was it dead and was it natural causes or poisoned.

If it was potentially poisoned, then it might be wise to check in with the vet to see if an antidote is needed.

Thank you for your calming positive messages. From what I saw hanging out of his mouth while we were having our stand off, it looked quite freshly dead. Where we were is very popular with dog walkers at the moment so I doubt it was an old kill but as for poisoning, who knows?

I would make sure I do a worm count or make sure wormers are up to date

My Lab ate a rabbit recently. The whole thing - just kept running off with it until he'd finished crunching his way through it. He didn't have any after effects. And I've no intentions of muzzling him!

@Medievalist

My Lab ate a rabbit recently. The whole thing - just kept running off with it until he'd finished crunching his way through it. He didn't have any after effects. And I've no intentions of muzzling him!

My beagle caught himself a rabbit a couple of months ago

I didn't know whether to be disgusted or impressed at his hunting skills and speed!

The worry is if the prey had previously been poisoned - and drugged critters are easier to catch.

Watch your dog for vomiting, lethargy etc, and consult vet urgently if symptoms appear

But if in countryside, it's almost certainly harmless

I'm never quite sure how to assess diarrhoea as a symptom in circs like this. Anyone know?

My hound ate a squirrel on a Saturday morning. He moped around looking strangely fat all day and threw up all over me on Sunday morning

Gosh you don’t need to muzzle train! Dogs are animals, you’re not an awful owner if he eats something on a walk.

My cocker once ate a rotten pheasant. It was truly vile. She was fine afterwards, apart from puking on the only rug in the house

On my vet's advice, I keep an intestinal remedy called Phosphulavet on standby for these situations.

He may need nothing though, if he doesn't show any signs of being unhappy.

my dog eats anything he is a terrible dustbin.

I dread to think of some of the things he has eaten over the years (including plenty of bodily waste.)

I don't muzzle him, I do have him on the lead in certain places where I know he will head towards things (like the bins behind the fish shop!)

Because he is a dustbin, he has a stomach of iron, and it all just passes through. (in his defence he is a rescue and was owned by a homeless guy, so presumable was often hungry)

rats would concern me due to poison.
He does get wormed regularly

The only thing worrying about your post was wanting to muzzle him.
Poor dog.

Don't muzzle him, there's no need.
Dogs are generally absolutely vile. I have three. They lick each others bits, occasionally eat each others crap, roll in anything dead, stinky, decaying... they're dogs. Its what they do, and love them but they are actually gross and germy.

Your dog was just doing exactly what dogs do.
He will be fine. If shows any signs of him not being call the vet and explain, but except for prehaps having runny stools, or bits of dead animal in them, he will very likely be absolutely fine.

Many dogs are fed a raw meat diet now too, its the same kind of thing. Its all natural.

Don't worry op, and please don't muzzle him.

He'll likely be fine.

The biggest concern would be rodenticide poisoning.
This usually occurs 2-3 days later and major signs are pale gums, weakness and collapse. It requires large amounts of vitamin k and fluid support and is an emergency

Most like nothing but I would worm him in 1-2 weeks and be extra careful if you have kids in case the creature had parasites

Have I the only dog that doesn't know where meat comes from, he gently brought a dead bird (baby crow) to the house and gave to me (presuming to make it better) he's also carefully carried baby (live) mice and rabbits to me as gifts? Curiosities? One of his favourite games is to press his nose on frogs so they jump over and over again. Soft touch dog, no coping mechanisms in the wild! (He eats dry food only so might be the reason)

thank you for the posts; I really appreciate it.

He was fine out this morning and his poos were perhaps just a tad bigger than normal (he's raw fed so poos are usually quite solid, non smelly but not very big)
He's now at the groomer for a trim and she's aware of what happened and will let me know if he's not his normal self.

Thanks for the heads up Veterinari. I'll keep a good look out for those signs.

Our year old ddog pooed a tampon at the week end....
Scavenging disgusting horror!! Bathroom bin now lives in a high up cupboard...
2 summers ago our dhusky ate a flip flop.
All except the toe post bit...
Grim buggars ddogs...

He'll have loved it, don't feel bad or explain! At least he was quick, mine can take forever savouring every vile mouthful. Generally I've found if they look fresh its rarely a problem, long dead can give the runs and the worst farts

Dogs are gross. Mine ate a tampon once too. Pooing blue string, huzzah. Agree with pp about no need to muzzle doggo, take precautions re parasites.

What to expect? Probably nothing. Dogs digestive systems are well equipped to deal with small raw bones and fur. Possibly an upset stomach if dog usually has a sensitive digestion. Keep an eye out for anything untoward but he'll likely be fine. Smaller dinner portions tonight though!

And you've added your dog is raw fed anyway. Dead animal would smell exactly like dinner to him!
You dogs worming will likely be up to date with raw fed especially, they can get parasites just from the raw food.

Worry not op, Ddog just thought he had found his dinner. Being raw fed he will be more than used to it.

@Happytodayhappytomorrow thanks for the update. Was it just me that had to check to see how unknown dog on the internets poo was this morning but very happy to hear all is well.