A $334.00 dollar lesson
 

I have a puppy who is chewing on anything she can to get her gums to feel better. In order to give her something besides the woodwork to chew on , I got her a nylabone. She would be entertained for a while then drop it. I have a 4 year old Yorkie who loves to chew on his toys but he mostly will chew the ones with ropes on them. I didn't realize he had gotten a hold of her bone and ate it until I hear him vomiting. He was bringing up big chunks of the nylabone and was beginning to look like he was really feeling awful. He developed diarrhea and it was at that point that I took him to an emergency clinic. Fortunately he was not obstructed but had irritated his bowels. I am never one to wait it out and because he just looked so uncomfortable I was not taking any chances. (Seems like it is always on a weekend when they are sick.) They did an x-ray of his abdomen gave him some fluids, antibiotics, antacid and sent him home on antibiotics and antacid. When doing some research on nylabone, after the fact, I found that the material does not show up on x-ray and read of many dogs dying from them. Just as a "heads up" if you give these to your dogs watch them closely and if they bite off pieces throw it out. They are not worth risking your babies health on.

So glad to have the heads up. None of my dogs would/will chew them so we are okay. Jilly was my biggest chewer but even she wouldn't touch a Nylabone. GTK this info. Thanks for the post. Sorry it was so costly to you and your little boy, though. And I know what you mean about getting sick on the weekend. Tibbe is fine M-F until 7:00 p.m. Friday night. From 7:00 p.m. Friday night and Monday at 7:30 a.m. - those are the only hours he tends to vomit or get gas or cough. Daytime during the week - he's just fine, thank you. My plumbing and sewer are on his wellness/sick schedule as well. Never have a daytime M-F plumbimg or sewer issue. Last flush Friday night - Oh no!!! Glub-glub.

I have heard this from other owners and understand that Nylabones can be dangerous. I do have one for Princess Sophie but she only gets to chew on it when she's in my arms. She loves it, hasn't gotten anything off if it and it will be taken away when I see any trace of permanent bite marks on it.

I'm really sorry that you learned this the hard way and that your pup was injured by it. I certainly agree with you about the potential danger of these chews but I feel with appropriate supervision, they can provide comfort for teething puppies. They have for ours at least.

Thanks for the heads up, people do need to be aware of the possible danger and I hope your puppy feels better really soon!! Blessings!

Wow.....you must have a major chewer! I am glad to hear that he is doing ok! I have never had a dog chew up a chew toy or bone before. Thank goodness you caught it in time!

Glad to hear that he is alright, costly, but alright...I have never given my lil one a nylabone...or the braided ropes....read on here that they were not good for them....she gets her bully sticks to chew on during the weekend when I am home to watch her and that's it besides her treats...or homemade chicken jerkey...yaaaaa I'm a picky momma :p

I am sorry to hear about your little chewer. Glad he is ok.

Sorry your boy got a hold of it and got so sick. I'm glad he is alright and I hope he is feeling much better soon!!

Was this the rubber/plastic non-edible nylabone or the edible ones?

I've never had any issues with the edible ones but it does have a warning on the label with the non-edible ones that they are not for adult dogs and should never be given to an adult as they can cause problems like your boy went through as it is not meant to be digested, just chewed on.

I have both types for my cocker puppy but she only gets them when supervised as she is teething like crazy. My yorkies could care less about the non edible one but they do try to steal the edible ones.

I've been a long time user of the blue flexible dental nylabones and I have never had a problem. I buy a larger sized nylabone so that it cannot be bitten off in chunks. I would rather use these than to risk byproducts like bully sticks that often harbor pathogenic bacteria / mold and are often of questionable origin from companies I don't trust. I also am not comfortable with natural bones after spending $1500 on a broken premolar. You're right that supervision is of the utmost concern, unless one is completely confident. My dog has access to his nylabones at all times and has for nearly 13 years now. I'm sorry that your dog had a problem and I am glad that all is on the mend. I hope you find something more suitable if your dog enjoys chewing.

I am sorry you went through this...and am happy to hear that your pup will be ok.

As for the Nylabones....I have also used them for many years without any issues and not one of my pups have ever bitten a piece off. BUT...I purchase only the Durahard Nylabones. They are virtually indestructible.

WOW! how scary. Im glad that your boy is ok. None of my dogs like Nylabones,,unless you smear peanut butter on it and then all they do is clean it off. I goth tired of stubbing my toes on them around here and they are already gone. Thank you for posting of the danger of them.

Thanks for all the well wishes. He seems to be ok now. He is a major chewer and I never would have given it to him. He took it and hid under the bed. Wonder if he's learned anything? Lol. It was the non-edible gummy type bone. Que Tee loved it and would have been fine with it but my little destroyer can rip bricks off the side of a building. I had the pup in her ex-pen with it and he was able to get his paw through the bars until he got it out. He rips stuffed toys apart and de-stuffs them in a matter of minutes. The tuff chew ones to him aren't even a challenge. He can chew through a fire hose! He probably would have done ok but I just couldn't risk taking a chance even though it cost me over $300 to have peace of mind. It just would have been a lot cheaper if it had happened 24 hours earlier.

Your poor Widget and my heart goes out to you, too. It has been a scary couple of days. I never thought Widget would chew something like this, and I definitely think this is a very important message for people to here. These are the photos you sent that Widget managed to heave up. They must have really hurt him. Widget is going to get a reputation here. Not only is he a toy hoarder, but he rips things with his bare teeth. He's such a sweet boy, though, and he's also so happy. Thankfully, Widget is okay but your message is one of utmost importance.

OMG how scary for you!! Poor Widgit, looking at that pic Lisa posted, poor little guy had to be in some major discomfort. I'm glad he is ok.

wow.. you have had a year with dogs to the vet! Don't you have shih tzu that has some issues?

Thanks for the warning, I do use them but like Cathy I get the larger ones. My sammy is so toy and bone aggressive I don't give much without suppervision.

Glad your pup is ok..that is what is most important