Dutch Shepherd Forum

Hey all, we don't usually have meet at my house but with the holidays I decided to cook up some ribs in the oven. Upon removing it and taking the potatoes off the oven I notice Koda jumped up on the counter and took some ribs off and swallowed them hole. He didn't even chew them and then pawed at his mouth because they were seriously hot. He pooped today and nothing came out.. what should I do? The vet said to just keep an eye on him.

When you say "he pooped today and nothing came out," what do you mean?

Is it that:
1.) He tried to poop but couldn't?
2.) He did poop but it was otherwise normal (meaning no bone pieces came out)?
3.) other?

Moderator action: Moved topic from Breed Standard.

Stacy_R wrote:When you say "he pooped today and nothing came out," what do you mean?

Is it that:
1.) He tried to poop but couldn't?
2.) He did poop but it was otherwise normal (meaning no bone pieces came out)?
3.) other?

He's been pooping fine. Still no bone that I can tell. Would it have broken down and already went through?

If he swallowed them whole, I would think the danger would be a blockage. So pooping normally sounds like a good sign...but I think there are other symptoms for a blockage besides not pooping. Did the vet tell you what to watch for? ('cause I don't know what else to look for, sorry). Its been a few days, so seems all good so far? Kinda stressful to worry about something your dog's eaten...been there, done that!

bannerd wrote: He's been pooping fine. Still no bone that I can tell. Would it have broken down and already went through?

I would say "no" on the broken down part. Cooked bones do not digest easily or quickly.

On the plus side, it doesn't sound like you have to worry about splintering and perforating the gut lining since he swallowed them whole. However, the negative side to that is that bones can get stuck in the stomach or the intestines and can cause problems in the gut (colic, scarring of the gut lining, bleeding, and blockage/constipation).

How many did he eat? What kind and size were they (i.e. spare ribs, baby backs, beef or pork)?

I would imagine the bone would have passed by now? He is still pewping and running around like he did about 50 red bulls.. the normal haha.

The vet didn't say much, she just said as long as he's pooping he'll be fine. The rib bones were about six inches long and probably the largest out of the prime rib. I'm thinking that it passed though or that the acid in his stomach turned the bone into a soggy item that I wasn't able to see. Happy holidays everyone!

I would say that by now he is fine...