These Store-Bought Bone Treats Could Kill Your Dog, FDA Warns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning dog owners about store-bought "bone treats," saying they have led to multiple reports of pet illnesses and even death.

In a consumer update, the FDA said they have received nearly 70 reports of pet illnesses related to "bone treats." The illnesses reported by owners and veterinarians include: 

Gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage in the digestive tract)
Choking
Cuts and wounds in the mouth or on the tonsils
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Bleeding from the rectum
Death. Approximately fifteen dogs reportedly died after eating a bone treat.


To read more on this story, click here: These Store-Bought Bone Treats Could Kill Your Dog, FDA Warns 



FOLLOW US!

Bones Are Unsafe No Matter What Their Size: Giving Your Dog a Bone May Make Your Pet a Candidate for a Trip to Your Veterinarian's Office

The stereotypical pairing of a happy dog with a big old bone may soon be history if enough people heed a recent FDA warning about the danger of bones.

The idea of a federal agency warning about something that's been going on for at least 15,000 years, if you consider dogs' predecessors going out and shopping for food in the wild themselves) seemed ludicrous, an affront to one of the oldest associations known to mankind.

If the problems the FDA describes are true, then it's a good idea to educate the public. The agency isn't banning bones. It can't. You buy a hunk of beef, and the bone is yours to do with as you please. The FDA is just warning about them. Here's the exact message:

The idea that it's natural for dogs to chew on bones is a popular one. However, it's a dangerous practice and can cause serious injury to your pet.

"Some people think it's safe to give dogs large bones, like those from a ham or a roast," says Carmela Stamper, D.V.M., a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration. "Bones are unsafe no matter what their size. Giving your dog a bone may make your pet a candidate for a trip to your veterinarian's office later, possible emergency surgery, or even death."

"Make sure you throw out bones from your own meals in a way that your dog can't get to them," adds Stamper, who suggests taking the trash out right away or putting the bones up high and out of your dog's reach until you have a chance to dispose of them. "And pay attention to where your dog's nose is when you walk him around the neighborhood--steer him away from any objects lying in the grass."

Here are 10 reasons Why It's a Bad Idea to Give Your Dog a Bone:

• Broken teeth: This may call for expensive veterinary dentistry.

• Mouth or tongue injuries: These can be very bloody and messy and may require a trip to see your veterinarian.

• Bone gets looped around your dog's lower jaw: This can be frightening or painful for your dog and potentially costly to you, as it usually means a trip to see your veterinarian.

• Bone gets stuck in esophagus: The esophagus is the tube that food travels through to reach the stomach. Your dog may gag, trying to bring the bone back up, and will need to see your veterinarian.

• Bone gets stuck in windpipe: This may happen if your dog accidentally inhales a small enough piece of bone. This is an emergency because your dog will have trouble breathing. Get your pet to your veterinarian immediately!

• Bone gets stuck in stomach: It went down just fine, but the bone may be too big to pass out of the stomach and into the intestines. Depending on the bone's size, your dog may need surgery or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure in which your veterinarian uses a long tube with a built-in camera and grabbing tools to try to remove the stuck bone from the stomach.

• Bone gets stuck in intestines: This can cause a blockage. It may be time for surgery.

• Constipation due to bone fragments: Your dog may have a hard time passing the bone fragments because they're very sharp and they scrape the inside of the large intestine or rectum as they move along. This causes severe pain and may require a visit to your veterinarian.

• Severe bleeding from the rectum: This is very messy and can be dangerous. It's time for a trip to see your veterinarian.

• Peritonitis: This nasty, difficult-to-treat bacterial infection of the abdomen is caused when bone fragments poke holes in your dog's stomach or intestines. Your dog needs an emergency visit to your veterinarian because peritonitis can kill your dog.

"Talk with your veterinarian about alternatives to giving bones to your dog," says Stamper. "There are many bone-like products made with materials that are safe for dogs to chew on."

"Always supervise your dog with any chew product, especially one your dog hasn't had before," adds Stamper. "And always, if your dog 'just isn't acting right,' call your veterinarian right away!"

FOLLOW US!

California Family Believes 'Dynamic Pet's Real Ham Bone', Purchased from Walmart, Killed Their Dog

A family from Vista, California, believes that their dog died after eating a Dynamic Pet's Real Ham Bone' that they purchased at Walmart.

It seems that this family is not the only ones full of anger and anguish over Dynamic Pet's Real Ham Bone.

Lily Reed, who is an eighth grader, could not help but break down when talking about the unexpected loss of her furry friend, Fred.

Fred was the family's nine-year-old basset hound, and they had to put him down on Monday.

Lily held onto his toys to feel a little closer.

"I don't know," Lily said through tears. "I just want to remember him."

Fred's owner, Victor Paulson, already misses their guy time.

"He would lay on me and he would love to just lay there in my recliner and just fall asleep," Paulson said.

Paulson still has the bone he believes killed his dog. They bought the Real Ham Bone by Dynamic Pet Products from Walmart. Paulson said they were all in the room when Fred enjoyed it for an hour.

However, the next day was a horrific one.

"There was vomit and diarrhea, and he was lying in a puddle of his own blood," Paulson explained.

Fred was in such bad shape when they took him to California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad that the family said their good byes, and put him down.

The veterinarians told 10News they did not have a definitive answer about what made Fred ill because the family could not afford to run the tests.

The family seems certain the bone broke apart and ripped apart Fred's insides.

"It couldn't have been anything else," Lily said. "It just couldn't have."

The warning on the Real Ham Bone is more detailed than most. It says:
"Supervise your pet while enjoying any natural bone product. Bone is to be chewed over several sittings, not eaten. Always provide a fresh supply of water to pet. Not recommended for dogs with digestive problems or aggressive chewers. Remove bone immediately if splintering occurs or small fragments break off. Recommended size is slightly larger than your pets mouth. Pet owner assumes liability associated with the use of this or any natural bone product."

10News found dozens, if not hundreds, of comments online with a similar story. Owners gave their dog a ham bone, often the same brand, and the dog started vomiting. Some dogs had surgery, while others died, according to some of the online comments.

10News reached out to Dynamic Pet Products, and they issued this statement:
ST. LOUIS, March 4, 2015 – Dave Frick, President, Dynamic Pet Products, released the following statement today in response to the complaint filed by a consumer regarding Real Ham Bone for Dogs.

"At Dynamic Pet Products, our goal is to offer the best pet products to owners and their dogs. We are saddened to learn of the illness of any of our customers' pets.

Dynamic Pet Products has been producing 100% Human food grade bones approved by the FDA since 2001, including the Real Ham Bone for Dogs. The quality of our products and the safety of the pets that enjoy our products are our top priorities. That is why every package contains a label that provides detailed instructions to owners on how they can help their pets best enjoy our products. We strongly encourage owners to supervise their pets with any treats or snacks. We will continue to provide quality, safe products to our customers."

On a Consumer Affairs web page, the product ranked one of five stars.

The Food and Drug Administration says bones are unsafe across the board. They say problems range from broken teeth to blocking the windpipe, and bone chards can poke holes in the stomach or intestines.

Giving your dog a bone can result in a vet visit, surgery or death. Read more here: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm208365.htm

Walmart told 10News: "We did reach out to the manufacturer and they are aware of this situation and had been in touch with the customer."

FOLLOW US!

Rawhide: What Dog Owners Should Know About its Various Kinds and the Pros and Cons that Each Type

Rawhide: Delicious or Dangerous?

There are numerous types of dog bones and chew toys available in the market today, and rawhide is definitely one of the most popular and widespread. Because there have been apprehensions over the use of rawhide chews, dog owners should know about its various kinds and the pros and cons that each type of rawhide poses.

A Brief Overview

Rawhides are basically made from the innermost coating of a cow’s hide. After cleaning and drying it, the piece is cut, rolled, and then shaped into different forms. While the US-processed rawhides are not subjected to any type of chemical treatment that may harm the dogs, some reports reveal that rawhides produced in other countries have toxic substances in them such as chrome and arsenic.

Please, when feeding your dog any type of treat, check its country of origin. The US has much stricter regulations for manufacturers than many other countries that have no such regulations in place for pet products.

There are many types of rawhide chews which typically include granulated, rolled, and compressed varieties. Each kind differs in appearance, texture, size, and hardness. Some can even be flavored. The type of rawhide you buy will depend on the kind of chewing style your pooch has.

How to Make the Right Choice

The primary danger in letting a dog eat rawhide chew toys is when blockages occur; thereby, requiring surgery. This commonly happens when your dog rips huge chunks out if the rawhide, swallows them, and the pieces later get stuck in his digestive system.

It’s always best to monitor your dog’s chewing habits and don’t leave him unattended with rawhide. At the very least, monitor him until you are comfortable that he isn’t able to swallow pieces of it.

To help you decide which variety of rawhide best suits your pooch, consider the following:

1. Granulated Rawhides. Dog chews made out of granulated rawhides, also known as extruded rawhides, are considered to be the softest. This kind comes in small amounts and tends to crumble easily which make it especially suitable for puppies and other light chewers.

2. Rolled or Cut Rawhides. This type is normally rolled or made into strips and then shaped into bone forms, typically with a knot on both ends. The flat knotted chew bones are a little softer as compared to the rolled ones. Because the knots on each end can be chewed off easily, care should be taken so as to keep Fido from swallowing it whole. This rawhide is particularly great for average chewers.

3. Compressed Rawhides. This kind is commonly made from many layers of rawhides that are compressed into a specific shape, oftentimes, into a bone but minus the knots. This brings about an extremely dense and very hard rawhide dog chew that certainly lasts for a long time. This is the only variety of rawhide that fits the chewing needs of large breed dogs as well as aggressive chewers.

4. Other Types. The other kinds include the chew flips, strips, and chips. These are smaller, flat portions taken from rawhide sheets. These types soften easily and are usually the appropriate size when it comes to swallowing whole. These varieties are not good for large dogs and puppies, as well as aggressive and active chewers.

If you’re looking for a safer alternative to rawhide, but one that your dog will love just as much, many options are available. Many dogs love a pigs ear or hoof. Bully sticks are long-lasting and delicious. Antlers are flavorful and fun to chew (and indestructable!). And, special bones made of nylon that are flavored are also great for chewing.

Please Share!

FOLLOW US!