Bulldogs swallowing everything...

Submitted by Chris Dellas on November 21, 2011 - 8:00pm

Go Back to Bulldog Medical Health

Hi. Our Chloe swallowed a 2" soup bone about four days ago. I was so worried that I went to an emergency vet and had an x-ray taken, even though the vet said I should not worry. Vet said it will pass eventually. Is this true and do all of your Bulldogs swallow almost anything and everything? People think that behavior is cute. In movies ( like "Dog Hotel" ) the Bulldogs are shown to swallow everything. hould I be worried about a 2" round hamhock bone or take the vet's advice and just make sure Chloe does not throw up, keeps eating, and does not become lethargic. We can keep an eye on her. But we cannot watch Chloe 24/7 every second. My wife and I work, and have lives like all of us.
So, do all Bulldogs swallow everything in sight? And how worried should I be about a cooked soup bone that she swallowed? Thanks. Chris Dellas.

Swallowing Stuff

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on November 21, 2011 - 9:11pm.

They do tend to be able to swallow stuff and they like to eat everything it seems. You need to puppy/doggie proof your home and yard if she goes out without you.

Yes you should be worried....and if you are not home then she should be kept in a safe place where she can't get stuff she could swallow. It is no different then a child. You have to watch them and when you can't then I highly recommend a crate or an ex-pen. With only toys she can't swallow. They should not have any cooked bones.

If it's that large it may not come out. If she starts vomiting and can't poop then you have a blockage and she will need to have surgery. They can't pass everything and I'm really surprised that a vet thinks a 2" soup bone will pass. Maybe he feels it will get digested enough in the stomach that it will eventually be able to pass.

I have experience with this stuff and it's not good and the surgery is expensive and you risk the life of your dog.

Thanks, now what?

Submitted by Chris Dellas on November 21, 2011 - 11:13pm.

Hi Deb, thanks for your answer. Chloe has had this soup bone in her stomache for about four days now. If I elect to have surgery before that bone may pass, I am going against vet's advice. And I am not crazy about putting an animal under a general anesthetic ( which may kill her ) and cutting opne a G.I. tract ( which could kill her because of blood loss ), than keeping any eye on her. My plan was to take her to her regular vet in about a week ( unless agin, she starts vomiting or not pooping ) and have another X-ray taken. And then take it from there.

She has had no problems pooping so far. She ran like crzy at the prk today. I feel like I am in the middle of a rock and a hrd place. I'm not going to OK a surgery if she is not at risk, and I am afriad to not have surgery because some day soon she may have an obstruction. Ugh! It is driving me crazy. Thanks for the advice though. I undertsand your comments and appreciate them.

Chris, do you have a Bully experienced veterinarian?

Submitted by AmyandSophia on November 22, 2011 - 9:58am.

I would highly recommend you take your girl to a vet with a LOT of Bulldog ecperience. If you don't have one now, I suggest taking a look at the home page of BDW and look under the vets by state listings. You may find a Bully vet near you that you can get a second opinion from.

__________________

Amy and Sophia

Wait and Watch

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on November 22, 2011 - 11:28am.

like the vet recommended would be what I would do. I would not opt for surgery either until there is a problem, if there is one. Heck someone posted that their dog ate a corn cob and pucked it up after a couple of weeks. So sometimes nature does work itself out. At least you know what you are dealing with. I would keep watch for the bone.

Also make sure she is drinking plenty of water. MacKenzie got blocked by a tiny piece of toy that was no bigger then the tip of my little finger but the vet thought it was because he got dehydrated from vomiting.

What Deb said

Submitted by IndyBulldog™ on November 22, 2011 - 2:56pm.

I second the wait and watch.

I'd still look up a Bulldog vet and all to be ready in case and to keep busy while waiting.

They have pretty stong digestive juices.

I wouldn't feed any cooked bones for any reason....myself

I feed these guys raw chicken with the bones in it everyday, other stuff too.

__________________

Mean people still suck

Chloe's fine, bone passed no problem...

Submitted by Chris Dellas on December 26, 2011 - 9:07pm.

Thanks for all of your advice. I thought I should check in and let you all know that Chloe is doing just fine one month after the swallowing the soup bone incident. I appreciate all of you taking the time to give us advice. ( All except the snob who told me that we cannot show Chloe because mini-bulldogs are not recognized by the AKC. I already made it clear that we knew that. We got Chloe to love, not to show. There was an article in the NY Times recently about the current Bulldog breed and the myriad of health problems that WE have bred into the animal. A mini is closer to the 19th century Bulldog in that it has longer legs, less skin folds, and can run and breathe. I have no interest in dog snobs because I love dogs, not necessarily just "champion show dogs." One day, and it will come soon, the specificarions that the AKC puts on Bulldogs will change, and we can have a healthy, happy breed again. In England they are already headed in that direction. In America the snobs are still winning out. ) Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!