VET QA : A Bone of Contention

Q: I know chicken bones shouldn’t be given to dogs, but I hear conflicting opinions about whether the large beef bones that one gets from the butcher are safe.--M.B. A: Veterinarians handle many emergencies in which a dog has been given a bone--and not just a chicken bone--to chew on. A marrowbone can become wedged in the lower jaw; in this case, it must be removed with a bone saw. Smaller bones can block any part of the digestive tract. Sharp fragments can perforate the esophagus or the intestines, and bones that travel beyond can cause obstructions that require painful medical intervention.