We had a hell of a day yesterday with Ossie. It was his 3rd birthday so we took him up to Petsmart to choose a present and he pooed all over the floor (partly runny, partly firm). On the way home he was then sick in the car (which he never does), he was then sick a couple of times more during the evening but no more poo /diarrhoea.

We know that it is because he has been working away on some bones that we have for him / Ebony (knuckles etc - not raw). We always have plenty of bones lying around the house for them to chew on and normally Os doesn't pay much attention but as Eb is a complete bone monster he's been eating a lot more recently. When he was sick yesterday some little bits of bone were mixed in, and then this morning when he pooed (firm) it was quite chalky and hard from the bones. At no point has there been any blood but he was very lethargic last night.

We starved him yesterday, but left plenty of water about, and then this morning he got some plain boiled rice as he was very hungry.

So, a couple of questions:
Should we keep feeding the rice or put him back on his dry complete?
Should I starve him for longer?

Thanks everyone - one concerned Mum here!

Hi Jayne,

Poor Ossie :-(   I think the fact that he's already been starved for 24 hours and has coped with a bland meal already I'd go back to his normal diet - however I'd soak his first complete food meal and also just make it around half or two thirds normal amount.   Then keep an eye on him over next few hours before deciding whether to feed him a little more.

HTH, Good luck, :-) 

Hi Jayne
Sorry to hear about Os. What a rotten birthday.

I feed raw marrow bones only, which requires an awful lot of work to grind off bits of bone. Also, I think if I were you, I would limit the time they have the bones, rather than have them accessible all the time. My girls have their bones when we're both out (about 9-2 4 days a week), but not at any other times.

I have e-mailed you, as would love an update on Eb, and also I seem to think you posted her pedigree somewhere and would like to have a look - could you remind me where it was?

Thanks
Katrina

I only give my two girls raw marrow bones,never cooked. hope os is better.

Sheila.

Bones should only ever be fed raw...never cooke..and then they should always be supervised!
If you want to leave something for your dogs while your out try kongs or treat balls.
Hope hes feeling better soon
Archer

Thanks everyone!  He's back to normal now after feeding him some raw, grated carrot as recommended by a friend which apparently acts as a mild laxative with dogs.  It worked and he is A1 again!

Bones are no longer down all the time and everything is supervised - another lesson learnt ;)

Katrina - I'll pm you.