raw hide bones or Chew-ezee
I no longer EVER feed rawhide, in any form. Last year, just before Maddie's second birthday, I had received free (from the Montana Company, with my Raw & Real order) a couple of "natural" rawhide chews (no chemical processing, yadda yadda yadda). So I gave her one for a birthday treat. About 10 minutes later, she got up and indicated anxiously that she had to go outside. On the way to the door, she "whistled." Her eyes were wide, and she was very antsy. I bent to check on the strange sound, and yes, she was "whistling" as she breathed. I checked her mouth, but saw nothing. But she just wasn't "right," so I wrenched her mouth open as wide as I could and reached back in her throat -- there was the stiff end of the rawhide chew, jammed tightly in her throat. The soft chewed end had gone in easily, but the stiff unchewed end had hung up in her throat. I did finally get it out, much to her relief. So based on this event, plus all I have read about these things sometimes causing internal obstructions, it's just something I will never allow again. As I feed my two raw ground meats, bones, and veggies for their regular meals, they get plenty of easy-to-chew and safe *RAW* rib and neck bones (beef, elk, deer, pork). Their teeth are clean and white with no plaque (no expensive vet teeth cleaning sessions, under anesthesia), no brushing necessary, sweet clean breath, and they're safe and happy doing what nature intended. Better safe than sorry! Vicky Whitney Bozeman, Montana
RE: raw hide bones or Chew-ezee
Hi, Definately no rawhides in this house, we feed beef rib bones and discard the rib when the meat and crunchy thick end are finished. I use nylabones for aggressive chewers and teeth are nice and clean. Too many chemicals in processing rawhides and many are made in countries with standards below ours. They are very high in protein and unbalance the diet and pieces can "weld" to the gut causing diarrhea and possible risk of intersussception. They can act as plugs to the small intestines causing vomitting and dehydration. IMO Garbage! Rose Tierney Sascha Kennel Perm. Reg'd.
Re: raw hide bones or Chew-ezee
In a message dated 12/28/2002 11:24:04 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > I would like to give my berner raw hide treats but only if they are safe. > What is the berner-l position ongiving this product to our breed. > My berner loves her chew-ez. I can't speak for the Berner-L...but for myself, neither one would be found in my house. It's not that I worry so much about the chemicals used in processing, or the reports of heavy metals in the hides, or the risk of parasites (hadn't heard that one)...it's the physical risk these things pose for many Bernese. My dogs used to crack off and swallow large chunks...(your puppy still has her milk teeth, things change a lot when her adult ones come in). Lots of potential for choking, the sharp edges can carve up the gut, and the pieces can get stuck in the gut as they aren't digestable. Last fall I had my adult male doing a day of "Meet the Breeds" public ed at a Pet Expo. All of a sudden I noticed him choking, trying to get something either up or down. I reached down his throat and pulled out a 3" rawhide circle that someone had given him when I wasn't looking! Around here, it's raw femur bones or Nylabone Knots (shaped like a rawhide knotted bone). Not perfect, definitely hard on the teeth, but I'd rather risk a tooth than the dog. -Sherri Venditti
raw hide bones or Chew-ezee
I am sure I am using trademark names but never the less I am sure everyone is familiar with the products, raw hide bones or Chew Eze. First of all. I have raised at least two labs on these products over a span of 20 years on one or both of these products. They lived 14 and 13 years, respectively. My last lab died of liver failure. I heard these products might cause 'liver parasites', in spite of the fact the products are being marketed in every pet store such as Pet Smart. I heard the products are not governed by the FDA or USDA therefor the products may contain parasites. Many of these raw hide products are manufactured in other countries like Brazil and Mexico where safeguards are less monitored. I am aware the difference in inspection process of the U.S. versus other countries is significant. I would like to give my berner raw hide treats but only if they are safe. What is the berner-l position ongiving this product to our breed. My berner loves her chew-ez. Terry Bering
