Panic...

I got up this morning to find someone- mentioning no names but I suspect Fish, who is a stray who depends on us for food/shelter at times, and can climb over the cat proof fencing around the garden to get into the house- had brought in an old chicken bone. And naturally one of my crew had picked it up and brought it upstairs to play with. I'm scared to death one or several of them will have been chewing on it, especially since years ago we nearly lost one of our cats after he sneaked a bone and it splintered in his gut. I'm neurotic about bones, they NEVER go outside or anywhere else any animal could get near them. This one looks ancient and must have been brought some distance, I'm hoping this old it might not have been interesting enough to chew on. Can anyone give me some clues about what to look for if any of my cats have been hurt by this horrible thing? They all ate and drank fine this morning, and thankfully I'm not working this week so I can be around to keep a close eye on them. ANY suggestions would be appreciated, I'm really worried.

I'm so sorry you lost one of your babies due to a nasty bone, Ranger. Does the bone look as if it's been chewed on enough for one of your babies to ingest a portion of it?

The ends are broken, but it doesn't look chewed on- at least not recently. It's filthy and very old.

That's a comfort! Perhaps you could very carefully monitor Jake, Mitja, Victoria, and Jasmine for any unusual symptoms such as not eating, any vomiting or hiding, or any symptoms at all that they are not feeling well. It sounds as if you are already providing such wonderful care and doing this already! Of course, if you have and suspicion or concern at all, a trip to the Vet will be in order!

Hope your babies are ok! Do you have any hairball remedy (which is sometimes called cat laxative)? When I think my kitties may have eaten something they shouldn't have I give them a few doses of hairball remedy for a few days and keep a close watch on 'em.

Thankyou, both of you, that's very reassuring. So far so good thank goodness, no one seems to be having problems swallowing. It's a comforting reminder too that the bone didn't look freshly chewed on. I have some of the hairball goo, I'll definitely pass that around and keep a close eye on everyone!