My 6 month old female westie just swallowed the end of a chicken leg bone. She gagged for just a few seconds but now seems fine.

Will she be able to digest the bone or is some specific treatment needed?

If the bone was raw, she should be okay. Was it the grizzel part or was it actual bone?

You can feed her a slice or two of bread to cushion the stomach lining. Cotton balls soaked in chicken broth work well too, but I have never been able to get my dog to eat the cotton. If she has no bowl movements in 24 hours, is not eating, seems to be drooling or in obvious discomfort take her to the vet asap.

I agree in wanting to know, was the bone raw? What was the size? How did she act after swallowing it? I wouldn't use the cotton balls; but try to keep her comfortable.
I would consult your vet.
Has anything changed [since posted] with her eating, water intake, or bowel movements?

As mentioned, if you can convince your dog to eat some cotton balls soaked in broth or milk, that would help. Bread will work too, but it breaks down fast. The idea is that the cotton balls would attach to the sharp ends of the bones if it splinters, to prevent perforation.

Keep an eye on her. If anything happens like vomit, diarrhea, no bowel movement by tomorrow afternoon, lethargy etc etc then call your vet.
Cooked or raw, it could still kill your dog if it gets lodged.

The bone was cooked (from one of those roasted chickens they sell at the grocery stores) I think it was just the very end of the leg bone (knee joint).

Thanks for the quick responses; she seemed fine all last night and this morning she is her usual self. No vomiting or unusual bowel movements. Thanks again!

Glad to hear that Studio!

LJ, why wouldn't you suggest feeding the dog cotton balls if he had eaten a cooked bone.

Is she still doing good?

Yes, she is fine. No indication that there was any problem at all.

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Originally Posted by 435Studio

Yes, she is fine. No indication that there was any problem at all.

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That's great. Thank you for the update. :)