AboutJana Connell RVT, CVT Expertise I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I cannot diagnose diseases nor will I try to. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I DO NOT do birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I also do not know much about reptiles, so post those to the reptile experts also. Thanks!
Experience I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a nutritional consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina.
Organizations Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.
Education/Credentials Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT.
Certified Veterinary Dental Technician
Question Jana...my Lab snatched a steak bone and devoured it before I could get it. He broke it in pieces...splinters...and just crunched a few bites and then swallowed them. What do I do?!!! Respectfully...Jana R.
Answer Watch his stool carefully and really keep an eye on how he is feeling and acting. Splintered bones are the worst offenders of causing peritonitis and death in dogs.
In the wild wolves and coyotes eat fur and sinew that wraps around the bones and helps them to pass safely. You might want to give your dog some fiber in his food to help that.
If is has only been a few minutes you might want to make him vomit them by giving him some hydrogen peroxide, but that could be risky too. It's up to you. If it's been an hour don't bother.
Any sign of discomfort or him going off his feed you need to get him into a vet's right away and tell them what he ate and that you have been monitoring him.
Hopefully these will all pass with no problems. My dog did the same thing with a cooked turkey leg bone once and she was fine.
Welcome to the little used name of Jana and I please let me know how your dog is in a few days.
