"My dog swallowed a bone whole!" "My dog ate a chicken bone" "My dog swallowed something sharp" "Help! My puppy ate glass!" If your dog got into something poisonous click here
Cotton Ball Remedy really works! Cottonball Remedy helps more dogs, read here Hi, my name is Mel and K911.biz is my website. I take pride in the fact that over the years, I have been able to help many individuals with their dog issues when no vet was available or for that matter, too costly. The suggestions posted on our "Ask the Dog" page are ones I have used with my own dogs over the past 30+ years. We have used the Cotton Ball Remedy successfully with our dogs on more than one occassion. Some sites and blogs claim that our information is 'dangerous' or 'ridiculous'. I have read "Don't feed her cotton balls. Those can cause a blockage in the digestive tract." Or, "I wouldn't try any cotton ball trick, what if it's not safe?" And "Cotton can cause a blockage and that could cause death as well." It is interesting to note that ones who post such negative comments have NEVER used our remedy for their dogs. So how can they dismiss it as bad advice? Are these the same people who give their dogs tennis balls, rawhides or plastic chew toys, all of which may cause intestinal blockage? Is it better then, to do nothing and allow a dog to die a slow, painful death? Let's do a reality check: Take SEVEN (7) large cotton balls, the most we recommend for a 50+ pound dog and thoroughly soak them in water. Note how much cotton is actually there, not a lot. Remember also that according to the directions, you are to tear them into small pieces before giving them to your dog. This will allow the smaller pieces to migrate toward the sharp object and hopefully wrap around it or pad it before it exits the dog's intestines. Now YOU decide if this is an unsafe remedy or not. We suggest that after successfully using this method, you keep your dog on a bland diet for a few days to allow his system to fully recover. As for the chew toys, mention earlier, our dogs are given all natural cotton ropes which we tie into big knots, one on each end. They spend a good deal of time trying to untie these knots and while they do swallow some of the cotton rope, it is expelled in their feces. Never have they choked on them, nor has there been any problem with bowel obstruction. You simply cannot go wrong with all natural cotton. Another plus is that these 'chew toys' can be washed and sanitized over and over. Not so with other play toys, some of which have small beads that can easily choke a dog or puppy. So try the remedy already! What You Need: Use cotton balls that are made of 100% cotton. Do not use "cosmetic puffs" as these are made from man-made fibers and do not work like the 100% cotton ones. Next, get a quart of Half & Half coffee creamer or if you prefer, use Liverwurst (a type of meat sausage which spreads easily on bread) or something you know your dog loves and will not reject. What to Do: Tear the cotton balls into small pieces and soak them in the Half & Half or generously smear Liverwurst on the cotton balls. The idea is to get something you know your dog will eagerly eat, onto that cotton ball as quickly as possible. This will begin the process of bringing the foreign object out of your dogs system SAFELY. Feed the cotton balls to your dog one at a time. DO NOT force your dog to eat the cotton balls if they are unwilling! Dogs know when they are able to eat and not wanting to means they are unable. This reaction might suggest they have a blockage and will need immediate medical attention! Give according to weight: 5 - 10 lbs feed 2 cotton balls. 10 - 50 lbs feed 3-5 cotton balls. 50+ lbs feed 5-7 cotton balls. Dogs seem to really like these strange "treats" and readily eat them. As the cotton works its way through the digestive tract, it will attract all the glass or bone pieces or any other sharp objects your dog may have swallowed, wrapping itself around them. Even the smallest bits of the object swallowed will be caught and wrapped in the cotton fibers. The cotton acts as a protective barrier for the intestinal wall, allowing for the object to be eliminated safely with the dog's next bowel movement. Expected Results: Your dog's stools will look strange for a few days but should you see fresh blood or a tarry appearance to the stool, rush your dog to the vet for a checkup but in most cases, the dogs will be just fine. The cotton always comes out with the object safely embedded. Alternatives: Marshmallow root, not the candy marshmallows you buy in the store! It is an herb found at your health food store. This sweet herb serves as a lubricant and helps to expel, soothe and soften tissue while controlling bacterial infections. Also soothes inflammation in any hollow organ such as the lungs, food canal, urinary and reproductive system and will absorb mucous and poisons. Canned pumpkin in its pureed form (not pumpkin pie filling) is also a great stool softener and a natural remedy for constipation. It helps soothe an upset stomach or indigestion in both cats and dogs. It is very rich in fiber and one or two teaspoonfuls to your pet's food will get their system moving in no time. Salmon oil mixed in with some food also works well as a natural "lubricant". Only a couple of squirts (maybe 8-10) mixed in with soft food will help. Keep in mind that the above alternatives, although beneficial for helping to move things along the digestive tract, will NOT help to protect your dog's system by wrapping around the objects as will the cotton balls. Why Bones Are Hazardous Bones can scrape, puncture, or block the intestines. Cooked bones, which have had all of the moisture drained from them, become dry and brittle. As they move down a dog's intestinal tract, they splinter into tiny pieces as sharp as needles. This is how a dog may find itself in a life threatening situation. Turkey bones—whether they have meat on them or not—are the ultimate splintering bones, and should never be given to dogs! Any sharp point on a bone can scrape and cut your dog's gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus down to the rectum, causing damage on its way in or out. A sharp bone can even cause a perforation in your dog's tract. Bones may also get stuck in part of the tract and cause a blockage that does not allow food to pass. If a blockage has occurred a pet will usually:
A blockage left untreated will lead to:
Even if a bone doesn't result in a blockage, it can still cause an internal abrasion or perforation of part of the gastrointestinal tract. If your pet has an internal abrasion, he may:
If a perforation has occurred, your pet will:
This condition can lead to shock and even death if untreated. If you know your pet has gotten into bones and you have already tried the Cotton Ball Remedy or alternatives, call your vet as soon as possible. If your pet is not vomiting, the vet may have you feed a high-fiber diet and monitor your pet for 24 hours to see if any symptoms occur. Or he may have you come into the clinic so he can X-ray your pet's belly to see exactly where the bones are. The vet is likely repeat the X-ray later again to make sure the bones are moving. If the bones, or splintered portion of the bone has not been dislodged, surgical removal is your only alternative. Bones that are caught in the esophagus may be removed with an endoscope (a flexible, fiber-optic scope that allows for surgery without an incision) under general anesthesia. If the esophagus is damaged, your vet may have to surgically repair it. Bones in the stomach can sometimes be removed by endoscopy but they are usually removed through traditional surgery by making an incision in the stomach. Bones in the small intestine are always removed surgically. If bones haven't gotten stuck by the time they reach the large intestine, they probably won't. But this doesn't mean that they won't cause a perforation. Bones that have made the trip all the way down the gastrointestinal tract sometimes get stuck at the rectum. These usually have to be removed with your dog under anesthesia, and the tissue has to be checked for injury and tears. Dogs who need treatment for bone ingestion are generally quite ill, often dehydrated, by the time they get to surgery. They require intravenous fluid therapy during surgery and good monitoring afterward.
When Good Dogs Eat Bad Things by Karen Klemens Jake's story is horrible but all too common. His owner thought he was just giving his Rottweiler a bone -- a chicken bone. The owner knew it wasn't the best thing to give Jake but didn't know why, and he certainly didn't think he was killing Jake. That's what happened, though. Over the next few days, Jake died a slow, painful death. The splintered chicken bones punctured the dog's gastrointestinal tract, causing deadly toxins to be released into his stomach. Jake became disoriented -- he wouldn't respond to his owner and he'd look around aimlessly. He also would regularly sit and, only using his front paws, spin around in one place. A short time later Jake succumbed. Common and not-so-common household foods and products given to your dog can be deadly. And just in case you think turkey bones are safe, owner beware: turkey bones splinter worse than chicken bones and can be just as deadly if given to man's best friend. See also: Toxic Dog Treats & RawhideandChewyTreats.htm |
