First thing’s first: As scary as a swallowed rawhide can be, you don’t want to panic. While swallowing a rawhide can lead to serious trouble, it doesn’t always spell disaster.
You want to follow a few key steps to make sure everything is A-OK, however, including:
Checkyour pup’smouthand airway. Examine your dog’s mouth to ensure the rawhide isn’t wedged in his throat or mouth. Sometimes, your pup will “cheek” a goodie he doesn’t want to share, be sure to thoroughly check out his entire mouth. This includes pulling your dog’s tongue forward so you can visualize his throat.
Remove debris and perform the doggie Heimlich if need be. If you can see the rawhide, try to remove it with your fingers (while being careful not to push it further in or suffer a bite at the hands of your panicking pupper). If it’s still stuck, switch to the canine Heimlich maneuver by going behind your dog, wrapping your hands around his abdomen, and squeezing your clasped hands just below his rib cage, as you would if a human were choking. The pressure may help expel the lodged item.
Clean up the area. Always remove any uneaten rawhide pieces to prevent further consumption. You don’t want to compound the issue by allowing him to add more rawhide to his stomach.
Call your vet. It’s best to check with your vet if your dog swallowed a large piece of rawhide, especially if he has any preexisting conditions, like digestive issues. He or she can advise whether to monitor your pup at home or to bring him in for an immediate exam. This is important, as even small bits of swallowed rawhide can lead to trouble in some dogs.
Monitor your mutt. If your vet recommends a “wait and see” approach, keep an eye on your pup and make sure he’s acting normally. There shouldn’t be any noticeable changes in his eating, drinking, or potty habits.
Be ready for complications. If you notice a change in your dog’s eating, drinking, behavior, or bathroom routine, it’s time to head into the vet or emergency clinic.
Stay on potty watch for the next several days. This isn’t the most pleasant activity, but you need to ensure your dog expels the rawhide safely. Your pup may pass the rawhide in small bits mixed in with his regular stool that you barely notice, or he might defecate large, twisted pieces that can be painful. If you notice any blood in his feces and around his behind, or strange colors in his poop, give your vet a call. On the flip side, if your dog seems constipated and isn’t pooping, you also need to call your veterinarian right away. Constipation can be a sign of bowel obstruction.
What do I do if my dog ate a rawhide?
First, you’ll want to take away any remaining rawhide bits to prevent things from getting worse, and then make sure that there are no pieces stuck in your dog’s mouth or throat. From there, you’ll want to call your vet, monitor your pooch, and seek immediate veterinary care if instructed to do so or you notice your dog exhibiting any troubling symptoms.
How do you remove rawhide from a dog’s throat?
Large objects, such as balls or pieces of rawhide, can sometimes be dislodged by placing firm pressure with both thumbs underneath the jaw at the base of the throat and pushing forwards.
Bullmastiff puppy swallows entire rawhide! 12 weeks old
If your dog has swollen a rawhide and is showing any of the signs like choking, gagging then you can help him to vomit it out or ingest it else you should immediately take the dog to the vet.
If the rawhide is ingested then you need not worry about it as rawhide would be digested within 1-2 days. If you see any of these signs after the digestion, you should contact your vet.
