Hi all. Well, I am feeling a little dumb! I didn't know that nylabones are not a very safe chewing choice. Didn't see any of the posts that I now know are on this forum about them! Kasey had a big nylabone (he's a golden) and never paid too much attention to it, but we had to take him off raw for a bit and give him hypoallergenic kibble to make sure he wasn't have chicken allergies. During that time when he didn't get to chew his RMB's he started spending a lot of time with the nylabone.

Well, about 4 days ago he started dry heaves and vomiting bile about 2 or 3 times a day. I thought it was because of the antibiotic he's on for his skin. But last night he threw up a big chunk of nylabone that had apparently broke off while was chewing on it. I didn't notice when it happened since he tends to keep his toys stuffed under furniture when he's not using them! We are soooo fortunate that that piece didn't get stuck in him somewhere and cause a big problem - physically and financially!

So I thought I'd post our story just so others that are new and haven't seen the nylabone/rawhide warning posts know that they are not safe!

I am glad to hear that Kasey is ok.

Bummer! Cicero loves his nylabone! guess I'll have to go pick that up.

I used to think they were a safe choice until I worked in the Doberman kennel. Determined chewers can get some pretty big chunks off these toys...scary.

Please, watch him very close.

If he acts funny, take him straight in to the e-vet.
Even if the x-ray shows no obstructions, have them do an exploratory surgery- nylabones often do not show up on x-rays.

...or following up on Alyssa's suggestion, ask for a barium series x-ray. The vet will get the dog to drink a barium solution which will show up on an x-ray. They do a series of x-rays following the progress of the liquid through the gut. If this liquid hits an obstruction and doesn't pass further, then they'll know there's a blockage--and then surgery will be required immediately.

I just went through this a couple months ago with the feisty looking Corgi in the picture in my signature. it's not fun, and not something to wait too long before you seek treatment or the internal damage gets progressively worse as sections of bowel start to die.

The tell-tale symptom will be the dogs inability to keey anything down, food or water. If it continues, go to the vet.

He's completely fine now. The piece that came up, fit the missing spot on the nylabone perfectly - there is no missing pieces. He hasn't thrown up in 48 hrs, is eating, drinking, pooping and playing normally. I know about things getting stuck and not showing up on xrays - he swallowed a plastic cap when he was 6 months old and we had to go to ER. They had to look for it with an endoscope and pulled it out of the valve that empties food into the small intestine - $1500 for that little gulp!

Whew I'm glad that everything is OK.

Those "dogs" are deathtraps