Did you know veterinarian
clinics receive a lot of calls the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas because
of issues pertaining to dogs eating turkey bones? Calls range in from pets having diarrhea with blood, vomiting,
not eating, etc.
Turkey bones, with or
without meat on them, are dangerous to our dogs and should never be given to
them. The dangers include:
- A sharp point of the bone can scrape and cut
your dog’s gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus down to the rectum,
causing damage on its way out
- Blockage in part of the tract preventing food
to pass
- Blockage can cause an internal abrasion or
perforation or tissue death of part of the gastrointestinal track
- Bones that have made its way down through the
gastrointestinal tract sometimes get stuck at the rectum (surgery is
necessary)
Signs and Symptoms:
- Vomit & Diarrhea
- Blood in stool or vomit
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargic
- Reluctant to get up
- Unable to get comfortable (going in circles
while trying to lay down)
- Sensitive to the belly area
- Possible fever
If your pet is presenting
any of these symptoms, it’s important that you call your vet or take him/her to
the nearest emergency animal clinic.
The vet just may have you put him/her on a high-fiber diet and
monitor. If severe symptoms are
present, an x-ray will be taken to see exactly where the blockage and damage is
and may require surgery.
It’s better to be safe than
sorry when dealing with our animals.
So, stay safe this Thanksgiving and Christmas and keep your pooch away
from the turkey bones. Remember, if
your pooch does eat a turkey bone and is showing any of the signs and symptoms
listed above and it’s left untreated, it can lead to shock and possible death.
