Epi4Dogs

Hi
I'm very new here. I am not by any means trying to suggest anything different than the very knowledgeable and helpful people here on the forum.

I do want to share an experience that we've had with natural antler. We're big into naturals so antler became a chew staple in our home. It was into our second large antler that our then golden retriever became seriously ill and we discovered that she was plugged with material that had to be removed surgically. Of course this is the short version of the story. when the plug was analyzed we were told that it was antler. The "dust" from chewing that became compacted. The antler never came to mind. The vet showed us the plug which was solid and not small. They told us they'd seen it before so antler's been out for us since.

Having said that, what is your EPI dog chewing on? We currently have a very large EPI dog who's an active/more aggressive chewer and need some advise. I've been unable to find a hollow bleached bone like shown in the treats section of the site. We're in Canada.

Are any of you using a flavoured bone? Peanut butter, chicken,bacon etc? Has that bit of flavoring caused you any trouble? I desperately need a some kind of bone suggestion. Our boy is very food motivated but not especially into play toys.

Oh wow.... i am SO sorry that happened to your dog.... very scary and thank you so much for sharing that here on the forum.

Over the years, i do know that some people give their dogs "antlers"

I personally no longer use store bought bones ... but rather (not sure if this is available to you)...used to get BIG raw bones from beef farmers..... i'd scrap as much of the fat & meat off it it that i could and then at first i would let my Izzy chew the raw big (soup bone) for a limited amount of time....like maybe 1/2 hour....... and in an area where i didn't mind the floor getting dirty (either outside or on the hardwood flooring/ not on carpeting!) i did this so as not to overwhelm her system with too much meat/fat remnants on the raw bone without it being doused in enzymes. However... when i did this with a new fresh bone, i always tried to give it within a half hour of an enzymed meal....

As time went on and the meat + fat remnants disappeared from the bone...i no longer timed how long Izzy was allowed to chew on bone... and they lasted for years!

Maybe you can talk to a butcher and see what they can get you?

Here is a picture of Izzy with her bone(s):

I only give Kara Dentasticks, and only one a day

that is so scary about antlers for dogs, I have always been a bit scared of hard bones as they can damage teeth

however a knuckle bone might help

Kara has never been a chewer of anything , so I cant help otherwise

J

Oh my gosh..such a great picture of Izzy

I think I'll talk to the butcher. Our vet suggested to stick with a nylabone I was really surprised but followed his advice and all was good however since the EPI diagnosis we're unsure about the mild flavoring and put the bone up. He's missing it terribly.

I guess maybe trial and error is the only way.

I just started coconut oil today. Our boy is so itchy and dry. The salmon oil went over like a lead balloon so I'm really hoping the coconut oil works out. I guess I'll give that some time first.

Thank you the butcher bone sounds like a great option.

That is scary about the antlers. I gave my girl an antler once, but I was scared she would break her teeth on it. Dizzy's not a big chewer, so I'm not a big help with suggestions. Every once in awhile she likes to shred a cardboard box and that keeps her occupied for a little while.

Wow! How scary! So glad your pup is okay. My vet said never give my dogs anything that can be digested - even the digestable nylabones. I used to give water buffalo horns but when I saw how they sometimes splintered I quit. So my boy only gets hard nylabones and Kong toys.

Good idea on the hard nylabone and kong.

Are any of your hard nylabone flavoured by any chance?

I didn't think the one we had was flavoured but it turns out it is

Regarding giving real bones - - give fresh, not cooked

Ok shall do. Thank you. That seems like a good option

I would not think that the amount or type of flavoring used in the Nylabones would be an issue. Mine used to chew on them but they are too hard. I now give them bully sticks but it is digestible so you would need to feed right after an enzymed meal.