Quick Answers
It’s quite common for dogs to eat chicken bones, especially cooked chicken bones. Eating a single cooked chicken wing is unlikely to cause serious problems for an adult dog. However, cooked bones can splinter and cause damage, so it’s best to avoid giving cooked bones to dogs on a regular basis. Monitor your dog closely for the next 48 hours for signs of distress like vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain. Contact your vet if you have any concerns. Overall, one cooked chicken wing is not an emergency for an otherwise healthy dog, but take care to keep cooked bones away from your dog in the future.
What are the risks of a dog eating cooked chicken bones?
Cooked chicken bones tend to be slightly softer than raw chicken bones. However, they can still splinter and cause damage in a dog’s mouth, throat, stomach and intestines. Some potential risks include:
Mouth and throat injuries
Sharp pieces of bone can lacerate the soft tissues in a dog’s mouth and throat. This can cause pain, bleeding and trouble swallowing.
Intestinal blockages
Splinters of bone may get lodged in a dog’s stomach or intestinal tract, causing a partial or complete blockage. This can lead to vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
Perforations
Sharp bone fragments can potentially puncture holes in the stomach, small intestines or large intestines. This can cause severe bleeding or even septic shock.
Obstructions
Large pieces of bone may become stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestines, fully obstructing the gastrointestinal tract. This requires emergency surgery to remove.
What symptoms may occur if my dog ate a cooked chicken bone?
Here are some symptoms to watch for if your dog ate a cooked chicken bone:
Excessive drooling
Your dog may drool more than usual if bone fragments have caused lacerations in his mouth or throat.
Gagging or choking
You may notice gagging, retching or choking if the bone has become wedged in your dog’s esophagus or throat.
Loss of appetite
Discomfort from swallowed bone fragments can cause your dog to refuse food or skip meals.
Vomiting
Your dog may vomit if bone pieces are irritating his stomach or intestines. You may even see bone fragments in the vomit.
Diarrhea
Some dogs develop diarrhea after eating bones, possibly due to irritation or small perforations in the intestines.
Blood in stool
You may notice blood in your dog’s poop if the bones caused lacerations or perforations as they passed through the intestinal tract.
Abdominal pain
Your dog may act lethargic, have a hunched posture, or whine due to stomach and intestinal discomfort. Applying gentle pressure to the belly may cause yelping.
Difficulty defecating
Large bone pieces stuck in the colon or rectum can make it difficult and painful for your dog to pass stool normally.
When should I take my dog to the vet?
Contact your vet immediately if your dog shows any of these signs after ingesting a chicken bone:
– Choking or unrelenting gagging
– Excessive drooling or bleeding from the mouth
– Repeated vomiting over more than 24 hours
– Severe diarrhea lasting over 48 hours
– Signs of abdominal pain including whining, restlessness or enlarged abdomen
– No appetite for more than 24 hours
– Blood in vomit or black, tarry stool
– Difficulty defecating or passing stool
Also call your vet if your dog seems lethargic, depressed or just generally unwell after eating a chicken bone. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Are some dogs more at risk than others?
Certain dogs may be more vulnerable to complications from eating chicken bones:
Small breed dogs
The intestines of small dogs are smaller in diameter, so obstructions are more likely.
Young puppies
Puppies under 12 months have developing digestive systems that may be more easily damaged by swallowed bones.
Elderly dogs
Older dogs with weaker immune systems or other medical issues are at higher risk of infections if perforations occur.
Fast eaters
Dogs that eat very quickly and aggressively are more likely to swallow larger bone fragments.
Dogs with gastrointestinal disease
Dogs with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease may already have irritated intestinal tracts that are more easily inflamed or lacerated by bones.
How can I check if my dog has an intestinal obstruction or perforation?
If your dog shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain after eating a chicken bone, the vet may recommend these diagnostic tests:
Physical exam
Your vet will gently palpate your dog’s abdomen to check for pain, enlarged organs, fluid, or foreign objects that are detectable by touch.
Blood tests
These can detect signs of infection like elevated white blood cell count if your dog has perforations or peritonitis.
Radiographs (x-rays)
X-rays can often spot bone fragments lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines.
Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound allows visual examination of the GI tract and surrounding organs for damage.
Endoscopy
A camera on a flexible tube passed down the throat allows visualization of objects stuck in the esophagus or stomach.
Exploratory surgery
If other tests are inconclusive but an obstruction is still suspected, exploratory surgery may be performed to examine the intestines.
What first aid can I provide at home?
If your otherwise healthy dog ate a single cooked chicken wing, you can provide supportive care at home unless symptoms seem severe or persist longer than expected. Here are some tips:
– Withhold food for 12-24 hours to give the GI tract rest.
– Slowly reintroduce small bland meals like boiled chicken and rice when appetite returns.
– Prevent dehydration by offering small amounts of water frequently. Add broth or hydrating foods like yogurt, cottage cheese and canned pumpkin.
– Watch closely for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. Call your vet if any of these occur.
– Gently massage the abdomen to help pass bones through the system.
– Use a stool softener or lubricant like canned pumpkin if your dog seems to be straining to defecate.
– Make sure your dog rests and avoids strenuous exercise for a few days.
– Consider giving probiotic supplements to maintain digestive health.
How can I prevent this in the future?
Here are some tips to keep your dog safe from chicken bones:
– Avoid feeding your dog any poultry bones, whether raw or cooked. Stick to treats manufactured specifically for dogs.
– Cut meat, skin and fat off chicken and turkey carcasses before discarding. Dogs can sniff out even small scraps.
– Keep the trashcan lid closed or place chicken packaging in a tightly tied plastic bag before throwing it away.
– Train your dog to sit and stay in one spot when you are preparing chicken. Offer a stuffed Kong toy to occupy them.
– Feed your dog in a separate room, behind a baby gate or in a crate while you are cooking and eating chicken.
– Purchase a slow feeder bowl to prevent fast eaters from gulping down food, treats or inedible objects.
– Supervise young puppies when they play with chew toys to ensure they don’t swallow large pieces.
With training and management, you can significantly reduce the risks posed by chicken bones and other inedible objects your dog shouldn’t be eating. Stay vigilant, and call your vet right away if you suspect your dog has swallowed anything that could cause blockages or damage.
Conclusion
While cooked chicken bones can potentially be dangerous for dogs, the risk from a single wing is low provided you carefully monitor for concerning symptoms. Use gentle first aid measures at home unless problems progress. In the future, keep cooked bones safely out of reach and train your dog not to scavenge for food scraps. With prompt veterinary care if complications arise, most dogs recover fully from an incident of bone ingestion. Be vigilant, but don’t panic if your dog happens to gulp down a cooked chicken bone accidentally. Just watch them closely and call your vet if anything seems amiss.