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My dog ate a cooked pork chop bone. Should I go to the ER vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Rat Terrier | Female | spayed | 10 years and 6 months old | 22.6 lbs

My 22 pound rat terrier ate a cooked pork chop bone off the counter while I had my back turned. I tried to get it from her but tan under the bed and chewed it and swallowed it before I could get it away from her. Do I need to rush her to the ER vet? We are at our cabin and away from our regular vet. I gave her a piece of bread because I heard that was supposed to cushion the sharp edges. What else should I do or watch for? when is she in the clear?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 1st, 2017

Oh no, that was naughty of Sadie to eat the cooked pork chop bone off the counter! Yes, you can give her some bread which will cushion the sharp bites, and while inducing vomiting is not typically recommended, you could take her into an ER vet now to see if they can remove the bone with an endoscope to prevent any chance of obstruction or perforation. Your other option is to monitor her and hope that it passes without problem. Give her a slice of whole wheat bread with every meal so that it will hopefully form a ball of ingesta around the bone and cushion it as it passes through the GI tract. While monitoring her, watch her for signs of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, bloody feces, or blood in the vomit. Should you see any of those signs, rush Sadie into a vet immediately. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Bread can help the sharp points but getting her to a vet is the best option. Pork chop bones can cause an obstruction and have serious side effects. They can take an X-ray and see how large or how many pieces therr are and if surgery is needed or if might pass. The main things to watch for is vomiting, diarrhea or not eating.

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