Quick answer
If a dog swallows a whole chicken wing, the most likely outcomes are that it will either pass through the digestive tract without issue or it will become lodged and require veterinary assistance. Chicken bones can splinter and cause injuries or obstructions in a dog’s esophagus, stomach or intestines. Symptoms of an obstruction include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and abdominal pain. Never induce vomiting if a dog has swallowed bones. Call a vet immediately if you suspect an obstruction. Precautionary X-rays can determine if surgical removal of the bones is needed. With prompt treatment, many dogs recover fully after swallowing bones. Prevent this by never feeding dogs cooked bones, supervising them when eating, and training them to chew food properly.
What happens immediately after swallowing a chicken wing?
As soon as a dog swallows a whole chicken wing, the wing will enter the esophagus and travel down towards the stomach. The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach, and it utilizes muscles and contractions to propel food from the mouth into the stomach. This process is called peristalsis.
In healthy dogs, the chicken wing should pass quickly through the esophagus and into the stomach without issue due to peristalsis. The stomach also utilizes contractions to help break down food through gastric juices. The chicken bones and cartilage provide little nutritional value and are typically too large to exit the stomach into the small intestines. This means the chicken wing will need to go further down the digestive system.
Esophagus
The esophagus is lined with mucus to ease the passage of food and prevent damage to the tissue. Bones or cartilage can sometimes scratch the lining of the esophagus during this transfer process, especially if the dog swallows the chicken wing in haste without chewing. However, in general, the chicken wing should transfer from the mouth through the esophagus without causing harm or obstruction.
Stomach
Once in the stomach, hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes will begin to break down and soften the chicken wing. The stomach will contract in waves, churning and crushing the chicken bones. Small bone shards and cartilage pieces will likely separate from the main bones and pass through the pyloric valve into the small intestines. Larger bones may remain in the stomach for some time until they are broken down further.
During digestion, the stomach will assimilate any nutrients from the chicken meat and cartilage while the bones primarily provide roughage. The gastric acids are strong enough to digest the meat and cartilage but not enough to dissolve the bones entirely. This is normal and allows some bone fragments to pass safely through the small intestine.
What happens after the chicken wing leaves the stomach?
Once the stomach has sufficiently crushed and softened any larger chicken bones, they will gradually move to the start of the small intestine with the other food contents of the stomach. The small intestine is approximately 15-23 feet long in an average sized dog. It winds extensively through the abdomen and is lined with villi to absorb nutrient molecules into the bloodstream.
Small intestine
In the duodenum, which is the first section of the small intestine, digestive juices from the liver, gallbladder and pancreas continue breaking down the chicken bones and cartilage. The duodenum has the greatest concentration of digestive enzymes so that most nutrient absorption can occur here.
Small bone fragments and pulverized cartilage can easily make it through and pass into the colon. Bile from the gallbladder helps digestion by emulsifying fats and oils. However, larger bones may still remain intact and too big to progress further. This leads to potential obstructions that prevent or slow down the dog’s natural peristalsis in the small intestines.
Colon
Once the food contents of the small intestine move into the wider and shorter colon, firm stools start forming as water is absorbed from the waste. Natural peristaltic waves will move the waste backwards towards the rectum in a somewhat slower pace than the small intestine.
Any smaller chicken bones should transit the large intestine without issue. However, whole intact bones can lead to constipation or obstipation, which is severe constipation often accompanied by vomiting. The bone fragments that make it through the full digestive tract will appear in the dog’s feces, sometimes causing minor anal or rectal abrasions during elimination. Generally though, the waste material should pass without harm if bone shards are small enough.
Can chicken bones injure or obstruct a dog’s digestive tract?
Yes, it is possible for chicken bones to injure a dog’s esophagus, stomach, or intestines and cause dangerous obstructions. Here are some of the ways swallowing chicken bones whole can potentially damage parts of the digestive tract:
Esophagus
– Scratched lining or tissue tears – Bones could physically cut or scratch the interior lining as they pass through if swallowed improperly.
– Esophageal foreign body – A bone becomes completely stuck and is unable to pass through the esophageal tubing. This requires immediate veterinary removal, usually with an endoscope under anesthesia.
Stomach
– Gastric laceration or perforation – A sharp bone shard or splinter pierces through the stomach wall. Can quickly become fatal without surgery.
– Pyloric obstruction – Pieces get lodged in the pyloric valve which controls stomach emptying. Causes violent vomiting.
Small intestine
– Intestinal lacerations – Bones splinter and pierce intestinal wall. Leads to septic peritonitis if bacteria spills into abdomen.
– Intestinal foreign body or obstruction – Bones get stuck and block forward passageway. Causes abdomen to expand painfully. Requires surgery in most cases.
Colon
– Rectal or anal tears – Bone shards in feces scratch or cut the anus during elimination. Usually minor but can bleed.
– Obstipation – Whole bones stuck in colon prevent defecation. Life threatening bloating and toxicity results if untreated.
– Constipation – Slower transit time from bone fragments in colon. Straining and difficult bowel movements.
What are the most common bone-related digestive obstructions in dogs?
The most frequent sites for bone-related gastrointestinal obstructions in dogs are:
Esophagus
The esophagus is most often obstructed right behind the tongue base at its entrance where the muscles must funnel food into the tubular tract. Foreign bodies that get stuck here include bones, balls, toys, corncobs and more. Esophageal obstructions often require endoscopic extraction, surgery or forceps removal under heavy sedation.
Pylorus
The pyloric valve which permits stomach emptying into the small intestine is a common site for bone fragments to get trapped. This causes projectile vomiting. Endoscopy or surgery can retrieve the lodged pieces to resolve the pyloric obstruction.
Duodenum
The duodenum portion of the small intestine has a few tight curves which bones can struggle to navigate. In addition, the duodenum has a thicker wall which bones may have difficulty piercing through. Therefore, obstructions frequently occur here before the jejunum and ileum segments.
Ileocecal valve
The ileocecal valve between the small intestine and large intestine also poses a bottleneck area where whole bones may obstruct at the narrow passageway. Vomiting occurs from an inability to empty stomach contents. Surgery usually required.
Colon
The colon tends to obstruct when strictures or narrow segments develop from scar tissue or cancer. Bones aggravate these regions and cause life threatening obstipation. Emergency surgery or endoscopy can be attempted to remove bones stuck in the colon.
What are signs my dog may have a digestive obstruction from swallowing a chicken bone?
Watch for any of the following symptoms that can indicate a potential bone obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract:
– Repeated vomiting
– Extreme lethargy or weakness
– Hunched posture or abdominal guarding indicating discomfort
– Loss of appetite or anorexia
– Increased salivation or retching motions
– Diarrhea or bloody stool
– Constipation or obstipation
– Visible distension of abdomen
– Pain or whining when palpating stomach
– Evidence of bones or blood in vomit or stool
– Unable to defecate or passing very little stool
– Straining or crying when trying to poop
How are bone obstructions and perforations diagnosed?
If a dog displays symptoms of a possible gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation from ingesting bones, the vet will typically perform the following diagnostic steps:
Physical exam
Palpating the abdomen for pain, listening for bowel sounds, checking for distension or rigidity in the stomach. Signs of dehydration and toxicity are evaluated. Temperature, heart rate and other vitals provide important clues.
Lab tests
A complete blood count, biochemical profile and urinalysis determine if infection is present. They reveal electrolyte imbalances from vomiting and provide an overall health snapshot.
Imaging
Abdominal x-rays identify the number, size and location of obstruction-causing bones and whether perforation exists. A contrast study allows real-time visualization of blockages. Ultrasound and endoscopy can also be utilized.
Exploratory surgery
If warranted by patient history, previous tests and clinical signs, exploratory surgery allows direct visualization and retrieval of problematic bones. Biopsies check for dead tissue.
How are bone obstructions treated?
Depending on the severity, location and nature of the obstruction, the following treatments may be required:
Endoscopic retrieval
Bones lodged in the esophagus, stomach or upper small intestines can sometimes be grabbed and removed using an endoscope inserted down the throat and into the digestive tract under anesthesia.
Emergency surgery
Surgery opens the abdomen so obstructions and foreign bodies can be manually located and extracted. Perforations are sutured closed. Dead or dying tissue is removed.
Prescription medications
Medications that relax smooth muscle and encourage motility may allow some obstructions to naturally pass. Antiemetics control vomiting while pain relievers provide comfort.
IV fluids and hospitalization
Dogs are hospitalized for IV fluid therapy to correct dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Clinical signs are closely monitored until obstruction resolves.
Strict rest
Enforced rest and fasting is recommended following endoscopy or surgery to allow the gastrointestinal tract time to heal before resuming normal function.
Dietary management
A vet may recommend feeding a bland, low-fiber diet for several days up to a few weeks after a bone obstruction to allow the digestive system a chance to recover. Bones should be avoided.
What are the side effects and prognosis for dogs with bone obstructions?
Dogs suffering from bone obstructions or perforations often face additional complications including:
Peritonitis
If the object penetrates entirely through the stomach or intestinal wall, bacteria can leak out and cause a widespread dangerous infection in the abdominal cavity requiring intensive care and antibiotics.
Sepsis
Bacterial infections in the abdomen, perforated organs or damaged tissue can overwhelm the bloodstream and lead to life threatening sepsis without rapid treatment.
Dehydration
Repeated vomiting and diarrhea depletes electrolytes and hydration levels. Hospitalization for IV fluid therapy is generally required until stable.
Starvation
A complete blockage prevents any nutrition from reaching the intestines for absorption. Dogs can quickly become metabolically compromised.
Necrosis
Obstructed sections of the intestines can die off from lack of blood flow. Toxins leak into the bloodstream from death of intestinal tissue.
With prompt veterinary treatment, most dogs recover fully and avoid lasting complications after swallowing and passing bones. However, bones that cause perforations have a significantly higher mortality rate. Prevention is key.
How can I prevent my dog from swallowing bones?
To keep dogs safe from the hazards of swallowing bones:
– Never feed cooked poultry bones – always remove them first from meat
– Avoid giving recreational bones of any kind like beef marrow bones
– Select bone-free commercial dog foods and treats
– Supervise dogs carefully when eating to monitor chewing
– Prevent access to bones, chicken wings or other hazardous food items
– Train dogs to chew carefully and not bolt food
– Choose appropriate chew toys made to mimic bones but are digestible
– Teach dogs the “drop it” command to prevent swallowing items
– Know the choking first aid and Heimlich maneuver for dogs
– Seek emergency veterinary care at any signs of distress or obstruction
Conclusion
While dogs are known for gobbling down food quickly, swallowing bones whole can have disastrous consequences including lacerations, perforations and deadly obstructions. Chicken bones must be kept away from dogs to avoid a life threatening medical crisis. With proper training, supervision and preventive measures, we can help keep our four-legged friends safe while enjoying special treats and meals together. Knowing what to watch for after a dog accidentally swallows a bone can prevent serious injury and save a pup’s life.