I have given my 7 month old lab a cooked nuckle/marrow type bone bought from the Pet store to chew on yesterday (which he loved) no trouble eating this watched him carefully all time was chewing on bone was not left alone just incase it splintered but now this morning he's tried to go poo but seems to be having a bit of trouble very hard, small amounts and bit smelly(seemed to yelp a little). he keeps sniffing at rear end and does not seem happy with the smell should I try to clean bum with soapy water to take smell away . Anyone any suggestions does not seem his perky self this am although up at normal time (5.30 ish) usually running around like something possessed first thing in morning and does not go back to bed until 9 am when we go to work but now gone back to bed. Shall I just see how day goes or shall I take him to vets this am to get him checked out.
Please someone respond as soon as possible with any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
Carole

Eating bones does make their poos very hard, but mine don't normally have any problems passing them . I'd take him to the vets if you are worried - just in case.

Daisy

Edited - when I give mine a new bone I limit the time to 15 minutes and then take it away - otherwise they get obsessed and wolf the lot

Hi Daisy

Not eaten the whole lot. Seems to have perked up more. Cleaned his rear end so smells better have given him some pure orange juice (this does the trick for hubby if he has problems). hopefully will be ok but will take to vets if he seems to be uncomfortable next time he goes.

Thanks for reply
Carole

The very hard poo will be emptying out his anal sacs (this is good), they may have been a bit full if you are noticing the smell. I imagine this is the first time he has had a bone, and doing such hard poos is a bit of a surprise.

I would also advise in future getting a marrow bone from the butfcher, letting him chew it raw for a few hours, and if you want it not to get smelly put it ion a roasting tray for 45 minutes on gas mark 9. this stops them getting wiffy, but they don't go as brittle as the commercial toast bones, which I supect must be done on a higher temp, probably in a kiln.

Also most butchers will only charge you 25 to 50p for a whole bone, sawn in half, some ask only for a donation in their charity box!

Mine have had their bones like this for 11 years, and the eldest has her lovely teeth commented on every time she has her jabs.

Thanks Brainless for reply. What if he has not emptied his anal glands although poo has gone back to normal now. Do thess need seeing to by a vet? still sniffs at rear end. Where are these glands situated and how will I know if they are full apart from him sniffing at rear end and he scoots across the floor sometimes on bum and he has been wormed so I know he's not got them. He has had a raw marrow bone a few weeks ago but did not eat a lot of this I threw it away cannot stand the smell perhaps will get another one and do as you say roast in oven. The hard poo was like crumbly concrete.
Can you give me a clue???

Thanks
Carole

Hi,
If he's 'scooting' his anal glands are probably a bit full or inflamed. They are situated at "4 o'clock and 8 o'clock" relative to the anus. Normally they are emptied when poo is passed, but if it is too soft then it won't work, and the dog needs more roughage in his diet. The bone will have hardened the poo considerably, but sharp bits may have scratched the delicate tissue.

The vet will empty them, and show you how to do it (corrr it stinks!!) because otherwise the dog can get quite uncomfortable.

When my dogs have bones the poo is, as you say, like crumbly concrete. Too many bones, I've found cause constipation, so need to be limited, but once a week is usually okay.

Hope this helps.
:)

Thanks Jeanegine

Seems to be passing wind (stinks) then looks round at rear end as if to say 'is that me'! Poo is normal(medim firm) when I said soft I ment softer today than yesterday which was hard (and hurt him) like crumbling concrete after bone on Friday he is on Beta Junior food + 1 wholemeal toast for breakfast + 1 small bottle of actimel per day. Do you think he has emptied these glands himself or will I need to take to vet to do it. Scooted on bum a few weeks ago not done it since. What does this emptying gland stuff look like??? have you any idea??? then I will know if he has done it himself. Please advise because dont want to cause him to be uncomfortable.

Grateful for your reply or anyone elses suggestions

Carole

The anal glands will empty if the dog is passing nornal firm motions. they only fill up and fail to do this if the dog has soft motions, which a lot of dogs have. A dogs motions should after they have been deposited be able to be picked up or rolled onto a dustpan, and not be like those of a person. Dogs fed tinned food often have these voluninous soft motions. These are scent glands, and coat the faeces with a film of smelly scent, so that passing canines will recognise the depositor.

If these glands become full, they can get infected. Full anal glands will usually be recognised by the bum scooting you have seen, as this is done in an effort to empty them, as I assume they irritate/itch.

The vet can show you how to express these into a tissue, but it is a real yucky job. Much better to ensure that he passes firm motions, and a bone once a week or two will help.

Hi Brainless

Thanks again for reply. His poos range from firm to medium firm to soft most of time can pick up via tissue in one go some times soft but not runny. I will get a bone per week for him. He is on Beta Junior food and this seems to suit him. What do you think of the bleach bones with a filling inside should I leave these alone and use marrow bones instead??

THanks
Carole

hoise bleached bones arte no safer, and you don't know what chemicals have been added to the filling to make it keep. go for the real thing, and watch for any bitc of the knuckle that will get taken off in the first day or two and dispose of them. Once he is down to the shank only he will just gradually grind the edges down.