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Dog help- ate a rabbit

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cupofjoe04
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8:03p, 7/27/24
AG
65 pound lab
Swallowed at least 1 very small rabbit (not a tiny newborn, but certainly not full grown).

I saw the dog with the rabbit, told her to drop it, at which point she proceeded to swallow it whole before I could get there and get it. Or at least the back 1/2-2/3 that I could see. I have no idea if there were others in a nest that she ate first, no way of knowing that.

My gut tells me to just give her lots of water, and watch her closely for a couple days. No dinner tonight, a little in the am. She will either throw it all up or pass it naturally. What would be signs of a blockage or some other issue we should monitor for? Am I missing anything?

Am I wrong and we should call the vet? I would rather avoid a costly weekend ER visit if possible, but will if it's truly necessary. Any advice appreciated.

PS- I know our next training focus now- because that's a very worrying trait if she wants to try and swallow stuff asap if she thinks I'm going to take it from her. She has always been pretty food crazy, but this is worrisome.
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cupofjoe04
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8:05p, 7/27/24
AG
She is current on shots and heartworm (Simparica Trio). Should we ask the vet about a dewormer or something incase the rabbit had worms? I know rabbits can be bad about them, but have no idea if they can transfer that way.
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Jason_Roofer
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8:06p, 7/27/24
I'd go on about my day and see if she gives signs of distress. It's all organic, shouldn't be a problem in my opinion. Watch for normal bowel movements and abnormalities in the feces…but personally, I'd not be overly concerned…..

Our vet will take a phone call from us and answer these kinds of questions without a problem, if yours will as well, then it certainly doesn't hurt to check.
Infinity Roofing - https://linqapp.com/jason_duke --- JasonDuke@InfinityRoofer.com --- https://infinityrooferjason.blogspot.com/
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ttha_aggie_09
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8:16p, 7/27/24
AG
One of my labs has eaten at least 2 rabbits that I know of and I suspect a few more. I've never worried about it and she's never had any issues
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B-1 83
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8:21p, 7/27/24
AG
What did dogs eat before there was Purina Dog Chow? It's like "What did horses eat before bermudagrass?"
Being in TexAgs jail changes a man……..no, not really
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McInnis
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8:24p, 7/27/24
AG
Oh goodness, I don't know how many baby rabbits I've seen my dog eat. He's forever digging up their dens and since they're a nuisance I've never worried about it.

One thing to watch. Rabbits carry fleas, and they carry tapeworm eggs. So look for little white specs under his tail in a couple of weeks.
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SharkinAg
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8:25p, 7/27/24
AG
Nothing you can do now. Monitor for vomiting and diarrhea the next few days. Maybe check a stool sample in a few weeks. Dog will probably be fine.
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cupofjoe04
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In reply to B-1 83 • 8:43p, 7/27/24
AG
B-1 83 said:
What did dogs eat before there was Purina Dog Chow? It's like "What did horses eat before bermudagrass?"
No doubt, which is why I'm not too worried.

But this dog wasn't around before Purina, and certialy her stomach & immune system aren't adujsted to an "all natural, organic, free range" diet- ha ha! Just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything I'm missing.
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WestGalvestonAggie
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9:25p, 7/27/24
I've had so many idiotic labs that have eaten so many impossible to believe things. I doubt you have anything to worry about, especially if it was alive and fresh. Dogs are ****ing gross. It's natural.
"I always thought Roy Acuff was probably an *******. I’m a Hank Williams fan."

-Steve Earle
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Ogre09
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9:53p, 7/27/24
AG
My little Pug/Italian Greyhound mix eats several squirrels a year. She's quick and catches them and eats them whole. No issues. I've caught her a couple times with just a big fluffy tail hanging out.
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SharkinAg
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In reply to Ogre09 • 10:37p, 7/27/24
AG
Ogre09 said:
My little Pug/Italian Greyhound mix eats several squirrels a year. She's quick and catches them and eats them whole. No issues.


Talk about opposites attracting
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Milwaukees Best Light
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In reply to Ogre09 • 10:44p, 7/27/24
AG
Ogre09 said:
My little Pug/Italian Greyhound mix eats several squirrels a year. She's quick and catches them and eats them whole. No issues.

Can I rent her for a couple weeks? My golden is too big and slow to catch them.
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Belton Ag
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11:34p, 7/27/24
AG
My catahoula ate a snake once. I saw him with the snake hanging from his mouth a told him to drop it, and
he just looks at me and eats it whole. Crunch, crunch, gulp. Never even phased him.
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Ogre09
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In reply to SharkinAg • 11:40p, 7/27/24
AG
SharkinAg said:
Ogre09 said:
My little Pug/Italian Greyhound mix eats several squirrels a year. She's quick and catches them and eats them whole. No issues.


Talk about opposites attracting



Yeah, it's pretty funny. They call it an ipug. The Italian greyhound is much smaller than the full size, so not a huge size difference. And they kinda offset eachother. She looks like a miniature boxer. Very athletic like the greyhound, but less fragile and a little more stout. She has big eyes and a little bit of an underbite, but has a pronounced muzzle instead of the smushed face. She definitely has the skittish greyhound personality. It took her a year to warm up to me after we got her as a puppy. Mostly she dislikes people but loves our other dog, a dachshund/beagle mix.
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Ogre09
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In reply to Milwaukees Best Light • 11:41p, 7/27/24
AG
Milwaukees Best Light said:
Ogre09 said:
My little Pug/Italian Greyhound mix eats several squirrels a year. She's quick and catches them and eats them whole. No issues.

Can I rent her for a couple weeks? My golden is too big and slow to catch them.



We don't rent ipugs.
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dr_boogs
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In reply to Ogre09 • 11:44p, 7/27/24
AG
POTD right here folks. Shut this thread down.
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cupofjoe04
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12:21a, 7/28/24
AG
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Jack Squat 83
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12:28a, 7/28/24
AG
At least now you know your Lab will likely survive the apocalypse, so you got that going for you.
Pretty sure most of you don’t know me.
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normaleagle05
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In reply to cupofjoe04 • 12:44a, 7/28/24
AG
I watched my 20lb standard dachshund swallow a young rabbit whole once. Damn thing squeaked all the way down. Shiner went on hunting another one. For all I know he'd already eaten three. He was fine.
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lazuras_dc
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6:51a, 7/28/24
AG
Not a vet here but had a lab with a lot of GI issues for 12 years: Things to look out for would be if your lab loses appetite. Looks lethargic or belabored. and of course a cease in bowel movements. I don't think you need to restrict any feedings.
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HarleySpoon
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7:39a, 7/28/24
AG
Had the exact thing happen with our golden, swallowed it whole when we told her to drop the baby rabbit. Absolutely zero noticeable effect on her.
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Crow Valley
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7:47a, 7/28/24
Ate his first rabbit? Sounds to me your lab doesn't get out much.
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SCQ
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8:09a, 7/28/24
My Labs eat everything they catch. I live in the country and the menu is large. They must really like rabbits I've noticed they generally eat them whole. Have to worm them usually once a year. Vet says it's from a flea on the animal they ate. Sounds reasonably!
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Bassfishin17
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11:04a, 7/28/24
AG
I boiled 300 lbs of crawfish at our house in college and the girls thought it would be funny to feed her the crawfish heads and my dog loved it…. Needless to say at 2:30 in the morning all of it came out both ends all over our couch and living room rug and it was the worst smelling thing ever, but she was fine. I know I know cool story bruh but I think your dog will be fine.
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Jason_Roofer
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In reply to Bassfishin17 • 11:16a, 7/28/24
Bassfishin17 said:
I boiled 300 lbs of crawfish at our house in college and the girls thought it would be funny to feed her the crawfish heads and my dog loved it…. Needless to say at 2:30 in the morning all of it came out both ends all over our couch and living room rug and it was the worst smelling thing ever, but she was fine. I know I know cool story bruh but I think your dog will be fine.


No sir.

That is the opposite of cool story. Man, I feel that story.
Infinity Roofing - https://linqapp.com/jason_duke --- JasonDuke@InfinityRoofer.com --- https://infinityrooferjason.blogspot.com/
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Shoefly!
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In reply to B-1 83 • 11:38a, 7/28/24
AG
B-1 83 said:
What did dogs eat before there was Purina Dog Chow? It's like "What did horses eat before bermudagrass?"

Yes, gut acids will break it down. You might see fur in the poop and maybe some small pieces of bone. Look at coyote scat full of that stuff.
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mandevilleag
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In reply to cupofjoe04 • 12:30p, 7/28/24
I think your PS is the most important point. I'm not a trainer, but have heard that hard-mouth is very difficult to deal with. Good luck if you're planning to hunt with this dog.
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Bohemian Ag13
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1:31p, 7/28/24
AG
My lab ate a 6" antler shed. After multiple vet visits, and endoscopy, lots of money and tears, we opted to wait instead of having stomach surgery. 48 hours after ingestion, she woke us up in the middle of the night pooping diarrhea ALL OVER THE HOUSE. Next day she was back to normal. Guess all that protein from the antler gave her the squirts.

First vet we went to advised to go into surgery to remove it ASAP, but advised we could try the endoscopy first with a specialist. After the endoscopy was unsuccessful, this new vet said "She will probably be ok. More risky to cut into her stomach. An antler is all organic. Think of coyote puppies that probably eat sticks, rocks, etc. A dog's stomach is pretty tough." So blessed and thankful we had a second opinion.

No reason to worry about a rabbit unless it was poisoned or something.
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Tony Franklins Other Shoe
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1:35p, 7/28/24
AG
Love/hate that about dogs. No! Drop it! Dog's voice in head screams "swallow it now".

Person Not Capable of Pregnancy
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ChillyAg19
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2:34p, 7/28/24
AG
My pitbull has never eaten another animal lmao. He would eat a cat though. Squirrels and rabbits he could care less about.
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JB!98
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In reply to ChillyAg19 • 2:43p, 7/28/24
AG
ChillyAg19 said:
My pitbull has never eaten another animal lmao. He would eat a cat though. Squirrels and rabbits he could care less about.
Does he have an appetite for children or old people though?

(Joke)
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Shooz in Katy
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12:09p, 7/29/24
AG
My 100 lb lab hides baby rabbits in his mouth and we only find out because we hear the rabbit squealing from inside his mouth.

I have no idea how many he's ever eaten but they've never caused him problems. We have him on symperica trio so worms should not be a problem.
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cupofjoe04
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In reply to lazuras_dc • 1:06p, 7/29/24
AG
lazuras_dc said:
Not a vet here but had a lab with a lot of GI issues for 12 years: Things to look out for would be if your lab loses appetite. Looks lethargic or belabored. and of course a cease in bowel movements. I don't think you need to restrict any feedings.


Appreciate it! Will continue keeping any eye on these things.

She never really changed her behavior at all. Eating just fine. Plumbing seems to be working just fine, too.

Sometimes these dang dogs are bulletproof. She got bit by a copperhead last summer, and pretty much just shrugged it off (though she has considerable swelling). Back to totally normal in 2 days. I guess the saying holds- if you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough. Ha ha!
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cupofjoe04
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In reply to Bassfishin17 • 1:08p, 7/29/24
AG
Bassfishin17 said:
I boiled 300 lbs of crawfish at our house in college and the girls thought it would be funny to feed her the crawfish heads and my dog loved it…. Needless to say at 2:30 in the morning all of it came out both ends all over our couch and living room rug and it was the worst smelling thing ever, but she was fine. I know I know cool story bruh but I think your dog will be fine.


Ugh- that sucks. I wonder if it was all the spices that disagreed. This is the exact scenario I was worried about (other than blockage). Thankfully, she seems totally normal.
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cupofjoe04
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In reply to mandevilleag • 1:12p, 7/29/24
AG
mandevilleag said:
I think your PS is the most important point. I'm not a trainer, but have heard that hard-mouth is very difficult to deal with. Good luck if you're planning to hunt with this dog.


I agree 100%. She is not a bird dog. She has fetched a couple geese and ducks I shot in the mountains, and went with me grouse hunting once. Nothing serious, just playing around. She did fine, but I don't have the time to be a serious duck hunter nor train a dog for that.

She is a pretty dang good shed dog, though. That's what we have been working on together since she was little. She did great with 2 seasons in the mountains, found a pile of elk and muley sheds. It was a bit harder these year after we moved back to TX. I don't have access to near the acerage, ha ha! But she did pluck a few WT sheds off our reach earlier this year, before it all flooded. Her biggest issue is that she tends to rely on looking more than smelling when she is tired.

So, hard mouthed don't matter much to me. She is only finding things she will eventually be allowed to chew up anyways.
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