Here's How I Almost Killed My Dog

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I meant well. I was looking for a chew object that would last a while and help keep JD's teeth free of tartar. Of course, it had to be made in the U.S. and something that would appeal to Mr. Picky Fussy Doodle.
But the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The bone splintered, and JD has been walking around with bone shards inside him for at least ten days. An angel must have been watching over him, and he is going to be okay. If there is anything left in there, it didn't show on the Xrays, and the vet feels confident it will pass on its own.
Now on to Jack's stupid mother.
I hereby nominate myself for the Food Group Hall of Shame. I stood there in the store and looked at that thing, and debated with myself. I wasn't sure if it was safe. But then again, it was made in the USA, and it was very large, and it was meant for dogs. They wouldn't sell it if it was unsafe for dogs, would they? (Would a doodle go poop in the woods?)
Yes, this is me who thought that and bought it anyway. And if you have the urge to slap me right now, go ahead. I deserve it.
Have I ever used the word research? I must not have, because look what I just found, too late to help JD, but maybe not too late to help your dogs:

Watch out for Real Ham Bone for dogs

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into a treat called Real Ham Bone for Dogs after reports that it killed dogs and sickened others.
According to this Associated Press report, the FDA is investigating the product — a smoked pig femur sold as a dog treat or chew bone — that is distributed under the Dynamic Pet Products label of Frick's Quality Meats in Washington, Mo.
The Better Business Bureau of St. Louis said it has fielded consumer complaints about the Real Ham Bone from throughout the U.S. The BBB said Thursday that concerns arose after the bones splintered, then ulcerated or obstructed the dogs' intestines. Consumers reported their dogs had become lethargic or were vomiting. One man came home to find his dog dead, bleeding from the mouth.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2010/03/watch_o...

 

This is what I gave my dog. I can't get over it. I'd be having a drink right now if I didn't feel so sick to my stomach. I'm not sure it was the same brand, but so what? This warning is all over the internet if you look for it. Why didn't I check out how safe ham bones are for dogs before I gave one to the dog who is the center of my universe?
If they'd recalled the damn thing, we'd probably have known about this. But they didn't. The article is from March, and they are evidently not done with the investigation, because it's still on the shelves. I bought it last week.

Please be smarter than I was about what you give your dog.

I am so ashamed.

[Brittany&Sami]

I agree with this statement 100%. Thank you for sharing, Karen!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

OMG Karen, don't beat yourself up so much. Please Please. You are one of the best doodle mom's ever!!! And you have helped all of us SOOOOO much. Everyone makes mistakes. I know you must feel guilty but please focus on the fact he is going to be OKAY.

So keep hugging your JD and nurse him back to health as only you can do.

THANK YOU for informing us so quickly about this product. Can you call the store where you bought it and tell them to pull it off the shelves??

Personally now that I found frozen marrow bones that they love and last, I don't change up variety too often. And I steer clear of things in bright packaging like this.. seems fake somehow. I made Bandit really sick from something from Red barn, can't remember now what it was, enough puke for 1 bucket. And I have given Rosey plenty of diarrhea from knuckle bones and various chews; oh I just want to make you feel better!! {{HUGS}}

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It may not even have been that brand, I don't think it had a bright wrapper like that. It may have been the Nature's Variety kind:
http://www.petfooddirect.com/product/1799/Natures-Variety-Prairie-H...
Or this one from Pet Carousel:
http://www.petguys.com/-034651800190.html

Do not give any kind of hambone to your dogs! Marrow bones are the only kind of bones I will ever even think of giving him again.

[BG and Gavin]

How could a person think that a natural bone sold for a dog would be the wrong thing to give a dog. I can't believe that it has not been taken off the shelves if these stories of illness and (gulp) death are true!? Thankfully everything turned out okay. Once you settle down, do have that drink.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Karen, if we can get little cards about puppy mills pulled off cafepress, save Midnight, and countless other good deeds and heroics then we can get this product pulled. I don't know where to start.... but I want to help!! Do we write letter to FDA? The manufacturer, what do we do???

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a blog complaining about the fact that they haven't been pulled.
http://dogblog.dogster.com/2010/03/15/smoked-hambones-not-quite-a-r...
I am ashamed all over again at the part in the article where the company says consumers didn't read the label warnings. Again, I'm not sure it was this same brand. I'm going back into the store tomorrow to check & tell them what happened to JD.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

We have all stood in pet stores and looked at what we hope will be a good chew thingie for our doods. All of us. What is the best way to research something? I have given my dogs Merrick "The Tank" bones. I think they are knuckles but I am embarrassed to say I am not sure. Should I just Google it with reviews or recalls or FDA?
Do you get marrow bones at the butcher and cook them ? My vet dentist (long and expensive story there) said no bones whatsoever but kongs and other chews don't cut it. The breeder said use knuckle bones. What to do? How can we learn from your experience and do better. You are a good teacher and always give it to us truthfully. We really appreciate you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

At this point, I feel very confident about marrow bones for most dogs. I do buy them from the grocery store butcher and cook them, but you can get them frozen at some pet specialty shops, and they have varieties like bison, ostrich, etc.
The Old West beef shank bones have been fine for Jack. I'm not going to trust any others without researching them. I have heard that the huge knuckle bones are okay, though.
To me, the best way to research anything is to do a Google search; but you have to know what you are looking at when it comes to websites. If the info is on an unreliable website, or a site that's selling a product, it isn't worth much. Articles in newspapers or from universities or gov't agencies are usually good. So is info from vet websites and known dog food sites like The Dog Food Project or Susan Thixton. And when in doubt, ask...ask us here, and we'll help you check it out.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I hope you can stop "beating yourself up". You are still the "Goddess of Dog Food", and the savior to so many of us who didn't even have a clue until you started to educate us. I've become a totally paranoid Doodle Mom, so my guys rarely get treats and never, ever get bones of any kind. They are completely deprived because they have a neurotic Mom. I still have a freezer in the garage filled with marrow bones that I've been too afraid to give them. I'm a nut case about this whole thing. I thought antlers were the answer, but apparently not since Murph managed to bite of a piece of the last antler. So, thank you for this important "heads up"....and "give yourself a break and a glass of wine". You certainly don't want to get like me....poor JD would be miserable (at least my boys don't know what they're missing).

[F, Calla & Luca]

I guess the answer is that nothing is 100 percent safe. My dogs did many to splinter a marrow bone but maybe it was a fluke. I found the pieces outside but they were very large and both dogs are fine. I still am giving them antlers and marrow bones but keeping a close eye on both the bones/antlers and dogs. Right now Calla is gnawing away at an antler. she's on a bit of a diet and I'm sure the chewing is satisfying for her.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Nobody on DK could doubt that you are one of the most concerned responsible people when it comes to feeding Jack. I am so glad he is going to be okay, and thanks for posting the warning!

[KC]

Karen, Very honestly, it's all the protection you have given countless dogs that came back and watched over Jack. Don't beat yourself up about it, but hug him once more, and then once more from all of us on this forum who have benefited from your research and advice. My blood ran cold at reading about that man who came back to find his dog dead. Jack is fine, you and all have us have learned a ghastly lesson from this. Now put your guilt away. Dogs don't stew over mistakes, and they are fine role models :)
Hugs, and many thanks for all the help you have given. Jack has a wonderful caring human in his life! (I was even thinking about you in the grocery store today, but that's a whole new post)
KC