Thunder at 4 1/2 mo. just swallowed his braided bully stick! It was around 5" long at the time and I didn't think he would swallow an object this large. Should it digest OK? (supposedly, bully sticks are fully digestable)....
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thunder swallowed bully stick
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Uh oh 
I have never given bully sticks, but have found (the hard way) that products labeled "fully digestible" are often not all that digestible.
I would call the emergency vet if you have one. Sometimes, if it has only just been recently swallowed, they can get it out with a scope.
I hope I'm not scaring you, but I do think you should call.
I have never given bully sticks, but have found (the hard way) that products labeled "fully digestible" are often not all that digestible.
I would call the emergency vet if you have one. Sometimes, if it has only just been recently swallowed, they can get it out with a scope.
I hope I'm not scaring you, but I do think you should call.
You can also try calling the emergency vet and asking if they feel it is necessary for you to bring Thunder in. They may be able to tell you over the phone what signs to look for that would be an indicator of trouble.
Piper does great with her bully sticks. So far, the only "problem" we have is that she's a powerful enough chewer that a 5" braided bully stick lasts maybe 15-20 minutes at most. They may be digestable but they certainly aren't cheap!
Piper does great with her bully sticks. So far, the only "problem" we have is that she's a powerful enough chewer that a 5" braided bully stick lasts maybe 15-20 minutes at most. They may be digestable but they certainly aren't cheap!
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Here's what you are watching for with a blockage:
Lethargy
Refusing to eat
Absensce of bowel movement
Projectile vomiting
If you see projectile vomiting, get to a vet asap. This is characteristic of a blockage and is a definite medical emergency. If the bowel becomes blocked the blood supply is cut off, and the bowel tissue begins to die very quickly.
Just keep a watchful eye. Hope all will be fine!
Lethargy
Refusing to eat
Absensce of bowel movement
Projectile vomiting
If you see projectile vomiting, get to a vet asap. This is characteristic of a blockage and is a definite medical emergency. If the bowel becomes blocked the blood supply is cut off, and the bowel tissue begins to die very quickly.
Just keep a watchful eye. Hope all will be fine!
Thanks for the replies!
I will be keeping a close eye on him and will keep you posted. I choose an individual family vet for Thunder rather than the "corpration chains" available locally which have 24hr services but have other disadvantages, or so it seems from my friends pet visits... I will see over time which is best for Thunder...
Thanks!
I will be keeping a close eye on him and will keep you posted. I choose an individual family vet for Thunder rather than the "corpration chains" available locally which have 24hr services but have other disadvantages, or so it seems from my friends pet visits... I will see over time which is best for Thunder...
Thanks!
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Sounds good
Out of curiousity, does your area not have an emergency vet, because the chains offer 24 hour services?
It's great to have access to both. We have had to make after-hours visits a few times now.
Out of curiousity, does your area not have an emergency vet, because the chains offer 24 hour services?
It's great to have access to both. We have had to make after-hours visits a few times now.
Re: Thunder swallowed bully stick "Update"
Thunder seems to be fine! He is eating and pooing fine and seems perfectly normal. I believe the bully stick was fully digested as the morning poo was a slightly different color. He is food crazy as usual and had an energetic walk at the park. Thanks for all of the great info. Angus, I did find an emergency vet clinic in another town just in case another situation arises... My vet is great, but he is the only vet at his clinic...
Thunder seems to be fine! He is eating and pooing fine and seems perfectly normal. I believe the bully stick was fully digested as the morning poo was a slightly different color. He is food crazy as usual and had an energetic walk at the park. Thanks for all of the great info. Angus, I did find an emergency vet clinic in another town just in case another situation arises... My vet is great, but he is the only vet at his clinic...
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Glad Thunder seems okay, but I'd still keep a watchful eye out for at least 24 hours. Hope all remains well.
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So glad everything is going well so far!
You do need to watch for 48 hours, though. It wouldn't block that quickly. Angus started showing symptoms in about 36 hours. (He had to have surgery to remove the offending item, which is why I'm a little paranoid about dogs swallowing things).
Thanks for the update Jeff! I always worry when I see these posts. Please let us know how it's going!
Oh, and also glad you found an e-vet. Hope you never need one, but it is sure better to find them ahead of time rather than be rushing around frantically when there is an emergency.
You do need to watch for 48 hours, though. It wouldn't block that quickly. Angus started showing symptoms in about 36 hours. (He had to have surgery to remove the offending item, which is why I'm a little paranoid about dogs swallowing things).
Thanks for the update Jeff! I always worry when I see these posts. Please let us know how it's going!
Oh, and also glad you found an e-vet. Hope you never need one, but it is sure better to find them ahead of time rather than be rushing around frantically when there is an emergency.
Just wanted to say that I'm jealous that you are able to call your own vet at home. When an emergency clinic opened around here, my vet stopped having on-call services. This is sad for me, as I would MUCH rather have my own vet's office on call than an office they've never been to before. Several of my pets have various special needs and those past records can be invaluable in a crisis!Jeff7777 said:
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Yes, I'm jealous too now that you mention it!
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I'm glad Thunder is ok! It's great that you can call you vet at home!
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Glad he is ok but don't stop being vigilant quite yet.
Thunder swallowed bully stick "Update"
Thunder seems perfectly fine now 48 hrs after eating the bully stick... Not even a hint of a problem and I believe he is OK! I will keep a very close eye on his chewing habits. I had picked the 12" bully sticks because I felt they were safe. Any advice on alternatives? I have avoided rawhide due to potential health problems...
Jackie and Angus; it is nice to be able to speak with a vet directly at his home in an emergency. This is why I choose him, even though his facility and his manner is more "old school" then the 24hr high-tech vets. I believe Thunder is in good hands with him...
Thanks for all the info and advice. This is a great forum with some very caring individuals!
Thunder seems perfectly fine now 48 hrs after eating the bully stick... Not even a hint of a problem and I believe he is OK! I will keep a very close eye on his chewing habits. I had picked the 12" bully sticks because I felt they were safe. Any advice on alternatives? I have avoided rawhide due to potential health problems...
Jackie and Angus; it is nice to be able to speak with a vet directly at his home in an emergency. This is why I choose him, even though his facility and his manner is more "old school" then the 24hr high-tech vets. I believe Thunder is in good hands with him...
Thanks for all the info and advice. This is a great forum with some very caring individuals!
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