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Rawhide chew danger - $2000 + later...

7K views 59 replies 29 participants last post by  marjrc 
#1 · (Edited)
On Friday, my husband and I headed out to the valley for lunch with some retired friends we haven't seen in a few years. Just as we were leaving the house, they told us that they had to take their young dog (toy breed, 14 months old) to the vet because she was vomiting all night. We were a little concerned, but they told us the vet wanted to keep her for observation, so we would still be going to lunch.

While at the restaurant, they got the call from the vet that had done x-rays and she had a blockage in the esophagus. They said they were not capable of removing it from that area and had made arrangements for her to be received at an emergency veterinary facility in Sacramento (1.5 hours north). We all jumped in the car, picked up their dog from their vet and rushed up to the hospital in Sacramento. They received a quote of $2300 (at the high end) to do additional x-rays (to make sure it hadn't moved since the last films were done), to use a scope down her throat and to try to remove it. If they couldn't remove it by that method, they would need to do surgery at additional costs. Ugh.

Thankfully, they were able to reach it by scope and pulled it back out. It was a small piece of rawhide she had broken off a rawhide chew. It was slightly larger than the size of a quarter and was blocking her esophagus.

By the way, the bill for the emergency vet was over $2000. That doesn't include the bill from their own vet for x-rays, exam and hospitalization for the morning. All this from a .75¢ chew.
 
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#4 ·
jill i think bullysticks are digestible, but rawhide is not...am i right here folks?

kimberly i'm so glad they were able to remove the piece with a scope, but what a terrible way to learn this lesson.

the only things posh gets to chew on are flossies these days, which are also digestible, and only when mommy's home...although i've noticed that all of my daughter's polly pockets are "disabled," so i know how these things can happen...and my daughter does a great job of cleaning up her toys. i've actually seen posh pick them out of the bag...little stinker!
 
#6 ·
I've stopped the rawhide but let Gwenni chew on bully sticks because I hear they are digestible. I really don't know though. What a price we all have to pay meaning our emotions, money and of course our precious little ones not feeling good. I just went through a scare and expense with Gwenni. But so glad they were able to get to it and gtet it out with no sugery.

Peggy
 
#7 ·
That is so frightening. I occasionally give them all rawhide bones, or should I say in the past I have. I guess no more.
 
#8 ·
Geri, I give them to the young puppies that can only gnaw and sometimes I will keep one in my travel bag in the car. As soon as we got back into the car after picking up their dog, I held up one of my rawhide flips and proclaimed, "This one is going straight into the garbage now." My puppies can have other chew items so as to not put our other dogs at risk. It just isn't worth it.

The specialist that helped their dog said the majority of blockages they see are caused by rawhide.

Amy, I think you are right about the digestibility.
 
#52 ·
The specialist that helped their dog said the majority of blockages they see are caused by rawhide.
I just saw this thread tonight, wow! This is EXACTLY why I tell all my puppy buyers to NOT ever give rawhide to their dogs. Also, if you give rawhide to puppies they can't tell the different between rawhide and your very expensive leather shoes! <grin>

For chewing, flossies or a similar tendon product is the way to go.
 
#10 ·
Rawhide is dried and processed cow hide. Skin, leather, hard to digest.

Bully sticks are...well...meat. Dried and somewhat processed, but easily digestible.

Any chew made from only muscle tissue/meat is fully digestible.

When looking at a 'natural' chew, ask yourself if the product is made from 'muscle meat' or 'skin' and you'll have the answer as to whether it's a safe chew or not.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the reminder story, Kimberly. So sorry these folks went through this. I have noticed when Jackson has had rawhide that he seems more lethargic which must mean it is hard to digest (maybe a tummy ache?)

What about pig ears? The seem to be like pork rind which humans eat, but I have a heck of a time cutting them in small pieces. Jackson goes wild for the pork.

Plus, is it just my sensitive nose, or do the bully sticks stink? The last ones we got were awful. Flossies seem to be one of the few treats that do not smell.
 
#22 ·
.

Plus, is it just my sensitive nose, or do the bully sticks stink? The last ones we got were awful. Flossies seem to be one of the few treats that do not smell.
Bully sticks are digestible, and the ones I have do not come off in chunks, but more like the strings mentioned here.

If you want bully sticks - which Lola loves and they clean her teeth - try the ones made by "Moo" brand. They are specifically tagged odorless. I buy them in bulk once a year from www.bullysticksonline.com Moo does sell some that are not odorless, and they do smell. Their odorless ones literally have no smell and do not give my dog bad breath. She likes the 7" braided ones, more to chomp on and pull apart. Lola will work on one for a whole week, for maybe an hour a day.
 
#15 ·
But the rawhide was stuck in the dog's esophogus. That could just as easily happen with a flossie or bully stick, or even a piece of hot dog or steak. I don't think it has to do with digestion at all.

I think the moral is to watch what your dog chews on carefully, whatever it is.
 
#17 ·
That's very true, Ivy. This is not their first dog (and they had an older female at the house that we met before we went to lunch) and have always had rawhides without incident until now. It really could have been anything, but this was in her throat for nearly 24 hours before removal. I don't know if anything else would have broken down in the meantime, but the vet did say that rawhide could not.
 
#18 ·
Yikes. Rawhides also get a lot bigger when they are wet. I gave the dogs the ones with the stuff in the middle and they left it outside in the snow (this was when we were back in Ohio). I was shocked when we found it how big that rawhide chew became. Not sure how much the bully sticks do the same...
 
#19 ·
Yeeks !!!! I only give a rawhide bone, in between my legs while I am brushing, eye cleaning, or cleaning butts. They get to chew on it for the task only. I'll be looking for another alternative. So, bully sticks are okay I take it?
 
#21 ·
Debra, I've sent home a rawhide flip with most of my puppies too. I have always tried to advise the new owners that the gnawing stage is okay, but when they can bite a piece off that you need to take it away. However, I know better than anyone that when you are picking up a puppy, you don't hear everything being said. :D I think I'm going to forego the flip in the front pocket anymore. It just isn't worth it.
 
#23 ·
Wow . . . a treat that lasts for a whole week? That would be fantastic! The only thing we have found that lasts forever is a cow hoof . . . my labs used to chew on those constantly, and both dogs still will pick up one from the toy pile and go to town. I don't like the stuffed ones . . . just the non-smoked plain ones. I try to get ones with fat edges . . . some have sharp sides. Some people think they smell . . . I usually let the boys have them in the yard, and I honestly think after they are out in the air for awhile that they lose their odor.
 
#25 ·
Gina, crazy isn't it? We stayed with them through dinner while awaiting their dog to come out of anesthesia. When we returned to the hospital, the vet brought the rawhide out in a baggie to show them. He asked them not to take it with them though, because one family took it home and the dog got into the baggie and ate it again. Can you imagine?
 
#26 ·
Oh this story just gives me the shakes, as I am lookimg at 3 rawhides on my floor that my guys regularly chew on! They are going in the garbage today!

Kathy - I am with you = those bully sticks just stink!! I give the bully sticks, only when we are going out for a while & they are going to be alone for 3 or more hours. But, when I get home, I collect them, stick them in a ziploc and save them for another time. I can't stand the smell!
I too like the cow hooves for the pups,. not the stuffed ones. They have never broken anything off of them, can I assume they are ok?? Man, I wish my guys would chew on nyla bones but they have no interest what so ever.

What is a flossie? I am not sure I have ever used those.
 
#28 ·
We only use Flossies or deer antlers. Scooter just had a shark spine as well which he really liked but I buy Flossies in bulk. I never leave him with a chew when he's alone in his crate though, only toys. I know he could pull off a piece of a toy but he usually sleeps so I figure it's better not to tempt him while he's in the crate. He does get his Kong that's stuffed with a treat though.

I hope the little dog is ok, so scary for them!!!
 
#30 · (Edited)
They look like the curled Bully sticks. I will have to look in to them. Do they leave a stain on the carpet or furniture?

I just went on Petedge and put in Merrick = no matches. When I put in flossies they come up with "bully curls" Can I assume (haha) that if it says bully that it is NOT the tendon??
 
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