Safe chew toys for dogs can be difficult to find. You think the one you just picked up will be completely safe. In fact, it looks like your dog won’t be able to put a dent in it! Then you give the chew toy to your dog, only to find out a few minutes later he’s chewed through the entire thing. Or worse, that he’s swallowed part of the toy.
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This can be the case with Nylabones. Do you give these to your dog?
What is a Nylabone?
A Nylabone is a chew toy that’s made by a company of the same name (Nylabone). The Nylabone is made of nylon and are not meant to be eaten. The toys are usually made into the shape of a bone and they’re only meant to be chewed.
How Can Nylabones Be Dangerous for Dogs?
Nylabones can be dangerous if a dog swallows a part of the “bone.” The bone is hard and can break into small, sharp pieces. The pieces can tear or puncture a dog’s esophagus, stomach/stomach lining, and the intestines.
Another issue is that the dog may swallow the entire bone. In this case, the Nylabone could create a blockage in the intestines, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. You may notice these symptoms if your dog has an intestinal blockage:
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- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Constipation
- Abdominal bloating/pain
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Ask a Vet Live NowMy Dog Ate Part or a Whole Nylabone—What Should I Do?
Note: do not make your dog vomit, unless directed to do so by the vet.
First, you’ll need to make sure your dog isn’t able to access more small pieces from the Nylabone. So, be sure to take away the bone and pick up any small pieces that are within your dog’s reach.
Next, call the vet immediately. Let them know what’s happened, and how much of the Nylabone your dog has eaten, along with any symptoms the dog may be showing.
Treatment of Dog After Eating Nylabone Whole or Pieces
When you reach the vet’s, they will perform a physical exam, run lab work, and will probably order x-rays or other imaging tests. The images allow the vet to see where the small pieces of bone are locate, or where the entire Nylabone is lodged.
Depending on where the pieces/bone are lodged, the vet may need to perform surgery. This is done to remove the pieces and/or the bone completely from the dog’s digestive tract. In most case, with prompt medical treatment, your dog should be OK!
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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