My 3-year old Cardigan last week ate what appeared (when the surgeon presented it to me) a hunk of black rubber, as if from a tire or tennis shoe--some bit of garbage she found in the yard, likely left there by squirrels rummaging in the alley dumpster.

At any rate, she underwent bowel resection surgery to remove the obstruction. She was hospitalized for 3 days and nights. Believe me--lesson learned.

She's been on a bland soft diet (overcooked rice mixed with groundbeef and egg) for 3 days, which she initially ate just fine. Poop resumed. She's still taking it easy with crate rest, and leash walks only.

As her strength and sass has returned, this morning she decided that she no longer wanted gruel and refused to eat it, especially when the rest of our pack was eating their raw meals. So, I gave in and minced up her usual raw food (currenly we're working on some venison, along with chicken quarters, raw mackerel and beef tripe). I minced it to a pulp and gave it to her, which she ate with gusto.

So, question is...how long do you think I should continue to mince her food? Until the stitches come out in a few more days? Or am I being overly cautious? Any of you raw feeders ever had experience with a dog recovering from bowel resection?