Beware Rawhide!!!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

countrygirl · 03-07-2008, 07:46 AM

This scared me to death!!! Bucky is now 7 months old. When he was a puppy I bought him these small rawhide chewies. They were the smallest ones that I could find and they have a knot at each end (looks like a bone). As he got bigger and more aggressive in his chewing, he would chew the middle out of the bone leaving the two knots. Then he would chew on the knots. I realized the hazard that this was so I took them away from him.

Well, last night at 9pm, while I was showing my daughter the cutest video here on YT, I noticed that Bucky was chewing on something. When I looked to see what it was, he jerked away from me and swallowed it

!!!!
He started to CHOCK!! Heaving, foaming at the mouth, gagging!!! OMG!! I was so scared!! My daugher is 7 and she just kept screaming and crying "Mommy, is Bucky dying?!?!"

So I stick my finger down his throat in a panic to try to fish it out. I could feel it in there, but it was too far in. I couldn't get it out. And I think I ended up pushing it further down his throat because he stopped choaking and gagging.

I called our vet's emergency number and he did not answer.

Luckly, I am friends with his assistant. So I called her at home and told her what happened. She said if it appeared that he was not in any discomfort and his airway was not blocked to just keep an eye on him for a few days. The main concern is if he vomits after he eats or drinks. That is a sign that there is a blockage and the rawhide did not make it to his stomach.

So, after all of that I sat down on the couch with him to keep an eye on him. After a few hours, I had calmed down and he seemed to be feeling fine. I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, he had another chew toy (this was one that was okay to have) just chewing away on it. He was feeling just fine!! I think that if it was me, I would lay off the chew toys for a while, but he was right back at it.

This morning, he got up and ate breakfast and seems to be just fine. I just wanted to share this with you guys, cause this was a really scary situation that could have ended a lot worse than it did!!!

Here is a pic of the rawhide chews that I am talking about. It looks like the 4-5" bone, but it is only maybe 2-3".

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=15902

LilDiddyBear · 03-07-2008, 07:48 AM

OMG how scary! These little buggers sure do know how to make us worry! I hope your little one is ok.

ARCHIE · 03-07-2008, 07:52 AM

I know the ones your referring to. I used to give them to Buddy when he
was a pup. I have learned since that these are bad for them as well
as nylabones of all kinds, IMO.
I am glad your furbaby is ok. It's just wortht the risk. Try giving him
natural beef bones to chew. That's all Buddy gets today.
I buy them in the pet store. They are white and come in all sizes.

Julie1760 · 03-07-2008, 07:52 AM

I bet you were scared!!!!

I would be concerned if he will be able to pass it. How much will digest? I'd still call the vet to see what he suggests..

HUGS

Sookie · 03-07-2008, 07:58 AM

I know how scared you must have been. I've been through a similar experience. Here's my thread about what happened to Kalina.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=101482

I now give Kalina and Matty Lu only soft, small treats, like the all natural 95% lamb type treats and Yorkie Yummies (chattiesmom), which they devour but they are really small. They also enjoyed the Diggy snacks (diggy4), which are small and soft.

Sorry you had that experience. VERY scary!!

countrygirl · 03-07-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I know the ones your referring to. I used to give them to Buddy when he
was a pup. I have learned since that these are bad for them as well
as nylabones of all kinds, IMO.
I am glad your furbaby is ok. It's just wortht the risk. Try giving him
natural beef bones to chew. That's all Buddy gets today.
I buy them in the pet store. They are white and come in all sizes.

Do you mean natural beef bones like from when I cook a roast or can you buy them somewhere? If you can buy them, then where? Could you send me the link??

countrygirl · 03-07-2008, 08:18 AM

[QUOTE=Sookie;1830669]
I opened her mouth and I stuck my finger down her throat to see if I could fill the treat and I could, but it was as if it were adhered to her esophagus like glue. I couldn't bring it up but I moved it enough that she was getting air now.
[QUOTE]

That is exactly what happened last night!!!! I was scared to death!!

Charlies Angel · 03-07-2008, 08:20 AM

I feed Charlie dingos!!!

We loves them

countrygirl · 03-07-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie1760

I bet you were scared!!!!

I would be concerned if he will be able to pass it. How much will digest? I'd still call the vet to see what he suggests..

HUGS

I talked to the vet this morning. I have an appointment today at 3 to have him x-rayed just to make sure that everything is okay. If it is in his stomach then the vet said that he should not have any problems with digestion. Thanks for your concern!

countrygirl · 03-07-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilDiddyBear

OMG how scary! These little buggers sure do know how to make us worry! I hope your little one is ok.

Thank you!

countrygirl · 03-07-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlies Angel

I feed Charlie dingos!!!

We loves them

What is a dingo?? Where do you get them?

littlewhip · 03-07-2008, 08:55 AM

Wow iam so happy he is ok, I has a very scary choking inncident with molly when she was a baby, So I know how scared you were, I always give the flat rawhides, They are much safer, I dont trust bully stix either, They chew them down so fast and they get slimey, Only soft treats here now..please update us, hugs and good thoughts to you

countrygirl · 03-07-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlewhip

Wow iam so happy he is ok, I has a very scary choking inncident with molly when she was a baby, So I know how scared you were, I always give the flat rawhides, They are much safer, I dont trust bully stix either, They chew them down so fast and they get slimey, Only soft treats here now..please update us, hugs and good thoughts to you

He is only allowed the flat rawhide too. I thought that I had all of the knots picked up and thrown away. I guess he had a secret stash though!

ellie81 · 03-07-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlies Angel

I feed Charlie dingos!!!

We loves them

I undestand how you feel, but they are not good for them and can be dangerous as you see. Why don't you try bully sticks?

4doggiemama · 03-07-2008, 10:40 AM

Think there have been threads about dogs and bones. Most recommend that you do not buy the natural meat bones in the pet stores because most have been cooked. It might have been mentioned that cooked bones splinter. It was recommended that you go to your grocery store and get fresh raw bones. If this info is wrong please correct me. Thanks.

03-07-2008, 07:46 AM	#1
countrygirl Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 424	Beware Rawhide!!!!! This scared me to death!!! Bucky is now 7 months old. When he was a puppy I bought him these small rawhide chewies. They were the smallest ones that I could find and they have a knot at each end (looks like a bone). As he got bigger and more aggressive in his chewing, he would chew the middle out of the bone leaving the two knots. Then he would chew on the knots. I realized the hazard that this was so I took them away from him. Well, last night at 9pm, while I was showing my daughter the cutest video here on YT, I noticed that Bucky was chewing on something. When I looked to see what it was, he jerked away from me and swallowed it !!!! He started to CHOCK!! Heaving, foaming at the mouth, gagging!!! OMG!! I was so scared!! My daugher is 7 and she just kept screaming and crying "Mommy, is Bucky dying?!?!" So I stick my finger down his throat in a panic to try to fish it out. I could feel it in there, but it was too far in. I couldn't get it out. And I think I ended up pushing it further down his throat because he stopped choaking and gagging. I called our vet's emergency number and he did not answer. Luckly, I am friends with his assistant. So I called her at home and told her what happened. She said if it appeared that he was not in any discomfort and his airway was not blocked to just keep an eye on him for a few days. The main concern is if he vomits after he eats or drinks. That is a sign that there is a blockage and the rawhide did not make it to his stomach. So, after all of that I sat down on the couch with him to keep an eye on him. After a few hours, I had calmed down and he seemed to be feeling fine. I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, he had another chew toy (this was one that was okay to have) just chewing away on it. He was feeling just fine!! I think that if it was me, I would lay off the chew toys for a while, but he was right back at it. This morning, he got up and ate breakfast and seems to be just fine. I just wanted to share this with you guys, cause this was a really scary situation that could have ended a lot worse than it did!!! Here is a pic of the rawhide chews that I am talking about. It looks like the 4-5" bone, but it is only maybe 2-3". http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=15902 __________________ Bella & Tasha

03-07-2008, 07:48 AM	#2
LilDiddyBear Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: PA Posts: 2,772	OMG how scary! These little buggers sure do know how to make us worry! I hope your little one is ok. __________________ Amy Mom to Diddy Bear, Posh, and Pika

03-07-2008, 07:52 AM	#4
Julie1760 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Packer Country!!! Posts: 666	I bet you were scared!!!! I would be concerned if he will be able to pass it. How much will digest? I'd still call the vet to see what he suggests.. HUGS __________________ •·.·´¯`·.·•Julie •·.·´¯`·.·• Chloé & Myah

03-07-2008, 07:58 AM	#5
Sookie My Four Sweet Babies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Jersey near Philadelphia Posts: 5,452	I know how scared you must have been. I've been through a similar experience. Here's my thread about what happened to Kalina. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=101482 I now give Kalina and Matty Lu only soft, small treats, like the all natural 95% lamb type treats and Yorkie Yummies (chattiesmom), which they devour but they are really small. They also enjoyed the Diggy snacks (diggy4), which are small and soft. Sorry you had that experience. VERY scary!! __________________ I LOVE MY BABIES

03-07-2008, 08:18 AM	#7
countrygirl Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 424	[QUOTE=Sookie;1830669] I opened her mouth and I stuck my finger down her throat to see if I could fill the treat and I could, but it was as if it were adhered to her esophagus like glue. I couldn't bring it up but I moved it enough that she was getting air now. [QUOTE] That is exactly what happened last night!!!! I was scared to death!! __________________ Bella & Tasha

03-07-2008, 07:52 AM	#3
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	I know the ones your referring to. I used to give them to Buddy when he was a pup. I have learned since that these are bad for them as well as nylabones of all kinds, IMO. I am glad your furbaby is ok. It's just wortht the risk. Try giving him natural beef bones to chew. That's all Buddy gets today. I buy them in the pet store. They are white and come in all sizes.

03-07-2008, 08:20 AM	#8
Charlies Angel No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 311	Oh No! I feed Charlie dingos!!! We loves them

03-07-2008, 08:55 AM	#12
littlewhip Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: wiith my furbabys Posts: 8,874	Wow iam so happy he is ok, I has a very scary choking inncident with molly when she was a baby, So I know how scared you were, I always give the flat rawhides, They are much safer, I dont trust bully stix either, They chew them down so fast and they get slimey, Only soft treats here now..please update us, hugs and good thoughts to you __________________

03-07-2008, 10:40 AM	#15
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,289	Think there have been threads about dogs and bones. Most recommend that you do not buy the natural meat bones in the pet stores because most have been cooked. It might have been mentioned that cooked bones splinter. It was recommended that you go to your grocery store and get fresh raw bones. If this info is wrong please correct me. Thanks. __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):