Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM
Wendy
Dr. Nunez is a practicing veterinarian while also assisting patients through The Balanced Canine blog and his own online veterinary pharmacy. Have a question for Dr. Mark? Send it to [email protected]. You can also follow Mark on Twitter.
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Dr. Mark's virtual advice is not a substitute for an actual examination with a veterinarian.
- Ask The Vet: Digestion In Senior Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Tracy Out West via Flickr.com Rufus, a Standard Poodle Hi Dr. Mark, I have a 12 year old standard poodle (the light of my life). He is now having trouble pooping as easily as he once did, and the amount is less. I talked...
- Ask The Vet: Dogs Who Love Bugs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © Oblivion9999 via Flickr.com Facial Swelling Common in Bug Bites & IngestionDear Dr. Mark: Skipper likes to eat bugs. Are there any bugs Skipper shouldn't be eating? All Summer long I had to watch him because of the bees....
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: Tuberculosis And Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © Carrie Boyko TB is Serious in Dogs Please Read Dr. Mark's Advice Dear Dr. Mark: Hello there. My dad was just called by his doctor telling him it's a possibility he may have TB. My concern is for my 7 yr. old dog that stays...
- Ask The Vet: Timing Of Feeding
by Mark Nunez, DVM © Carrie Boyko Dr. Mark Recommends Twice Daily FeedingsDear Dr. Mark: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question: I really hope you can help me figure this out.Being a college student and working makes my life...
- Ask The Vet, With Dr. Mark: My Dog Licks His Packmate's Eyes
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy 1corey via Flickr Eye Licking-- Grooming or Dominance? Dear Ask the Vet: Oreo has always licked Cocoa's eyes. I'd guess he does this about 5 times a week. The groomers have been saying Cocoa's eyes look...
Dogs
Ask the Vet with Dr. Mark: The Dangers of Animals Bones
by Mark Nunez, DVM
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| © courtesy Mateuszz via Flickr.com Natural Bones Have Multiple Dangers |
Hello Dr. Mark: My husband hunts deer. He brought home some deer bones for Rex, our Jack Russell mix. I suggested he cook them to kill parasites or germs but he wanted to feed them raw. What do you recommend regarding raw vs. cooked bones? I wanted to cook them on the grill.
Wendy
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Hello Wendy,You are correct, cooking them would kill harmful bacteria; however, the risk of stomach and intestinal problems would still remain. Many people feel that dogs need bones in their diet, but this is simply not true. If they are eating a high quality diet (home cooked OR commercially purchased) they will be getting all of the appropriate vitamins and mineral they need. In addition, there are MANY safe alternatives for keeping their teeth clean and their gums healthy.
While cooking the bones helps to decrease the risk for bacterial contamination, it makes them more brittle and more likely to splinter. These splinters can lodge anywhere in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. I have also seen bones cause intestinal obstructions, with or without intestinal perforation. The bottom line is the risk does not out weigh the benefit when it comes to bones. I recommend finding safer alternatives for oral health and for dogs that just love to chew on things. Thanks for the question!
While cooking the bones helps to decrease the risk for bacterial contamination, it makes them more brittle and more likely to splinter. These splinters can lodge anywhere in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. I have also seen bones cause intestinal obstructions, with or without intestinal perforation. The bottom line is the risk does not out weigh the benefit when it comes to bones. I recommend finding safer alternatives for oral health and for dogs that just love to chew on things. Thanks for the question!
Dr. Mark
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| © courtesy m.n. Dr. Nunez |
- Are Amoebae Dangerous to Swimming Dogs?
- My Dog Licks his Packmate’s Eyes
- Dog Care: Do's and Don'ts for First Time Dog Owners
- Ask The Vet: Digestion In Senior Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Tracy Out West via Flickr.com Rufus, a Standard Poodle Hi Dr. Mark, I have a 12 year old standard poodle (the light of my life). He is now having trouble pooping as easily as he once did, and the amount is less. I talked...
- Ask The Vet: Dogs Who Love Bugs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © Oblivion9999 via Flickr.com Facial Swelling Common in Bug Bites & IngestionDear Dr. Mark: Skipper likes to eat bugs. Are there any bugs Skipper shouldn't be eating? All Summer long I had to watch him because of the bees....
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: Tuberculosis And Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © Carrie Boyko TB is Serious in Dogs Please Read Dr. Mark's Advice Dear Dr. Mark: Hello there. My dad was just called by his doctor telling him it's a possibility he may have TB. My concern is for my 7 yr. old dog that stays...
- Ask The Vet: Timing Of Feeding
by Mark Nunez, DVM © Carrie Boyko Dr. Mark Recommends Twice Daily FeedingsDear Dr. Mark: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question: I really hope you can help me figure this out.Being a college student and working makes my life...
- Ask The Vet, With Dr. Mark: My Dog Licks His Packmate's Eyes
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy 1corey via Flickr Eye Licking-- Grooming or Dominance? Dear Ask the Vet: Oreo has always licked Cocoa's eyes. I'd guess he does this about 5 times a week. The groomers have been saying Cocoa's eyes look...