Think you did great!
To exchange something for something else is one of the easy and save ways to get something of your dog. Especially if you don't trust her!

As far as the blood by chewing: don't worry about it, it's normal. Especilly when the dog is teething, has plaque on his molars or not too best shaped gums. Nothing wrong there, you will see it more then enough

This past wednesday afternoon, I gave Abby a 6.5" bully stick to chew on so that she can get some of the plaque off her teeth - I found out the stick is quite good for that. I was watching her the entire time she was chewing on it. After a little while, I decided it was time to take it away from her and I think there was about 4-5 inches left. So, I went into the kitchen - she followed me when I called her - to get her a small slice of apple to exchange it with her stick. She's too smart to do an exchange and decided to take the apple slice in my hand and run with that too - she was able to fit the length of the stick in her mouth and use her front teeth to grab the apple. Well, she ate the apple slice with the stick firmly under her paw - she was making sure I wouldn't get to it...too smart for her own good, I swear. And the next thing I know when I go cut another slice of apple - she swallowed the rest of the bully stick whole!

She's about 55lbs on the lean side and the stick was coated quite well with her saliva, so I was a bit concerned that she would choke...but she drank about a cup or two of water right after she swallowed it - I was relieved at that point - she wasn't choking. My concern is now this: blockage. She still eats and behaves normally, but I have cut down on her kibble and gave her more veggie slop in her meals. I was a bit concerned yesterday when she didn't go poo a second time mid-day - she usually does. However, I was a little bit relieved this morning when she did her morning doodie - it's normal (firm) and not runny at all.

So (finally) my question is: what signs other than vomiting, diarrhea and behavior changes should I look out for and how will I know if she has digested the stick completely? I'm quite worried about her right now, but I'm trying to keep my cool around her because she reacts to my emotions quite readily - she's alert whenever I'm alert, excited whenever I am (duh), becomes readily submissive whenever I'm in serious mode, etc. I would say she's quite in tune with me...haha. but that's besides the point.

I am by no means a pro, and if your indoubt, and you know your own dog, take her to the vet.

BUT, I would say your in the clear now and not to worry. If she is eating, pooing and generally behaving normally then youll prob find the bully has been digested and is passed or is in the process of passing.

Keep an eye over the next few days, particularly for a slight blood in the stall. If this is the case then there could be a part of the stick stuck in the colon and this bleeds very easily. If this is the case then take her to the vet.

Other than that I would carry on as usual. Its always the first 24 hours that are vital in all emergancy and potential emergancy situations and that has passed with out a problem!

Many thanks for the advice, Nick! Since Abby's vet is actually located in Austin and we're in Houston, odds are if anything happens, I'll have to notify my sister while I make our way to an emergency vet about 10 minutes away from home.

I'm a little hesitant to feed her 3/4 cup of kibble at both meals during the day as I usually do because I don't know exactly how easily digestible her kibble is for her. Is 5 days on a reduced protein diet a good idea? (Maybe I'm overreacting...) She is currently (after the bully ingestion) on a 1/2 cup portion of kibble and 4-5 tablespoons of veggie slop (consisting of broccoli, celery, sweet potato and carrot) diet - 2 meals per day. (So, daily portion is 1 cup kibble; 8-10 tablespoons veggie slop.)

No worries!! The bully-stick (unlike rawhide) is completely digestible and won't have any serious long-term effects. Abby should be fine. It's good that you're so concerned about her diet but be careful not to go overboard. As you said, she isn't overly active but it's important that she gets the proper amount of nutrients and protein nonetheless. If she's constantly hungry it would explain why she's so eager when you give her treats like bully-sticks. As long as she maintains a healthy weight you won't have any problems.

I found out the other night from coyotegyrl and some internet resources that for Abby's size and age, she's supposed to be getting between 1180-1395 calories per day. If I'm calculating everything correctly, then she's only been getting about 696 calories per day out of her kibble. I'm not sure about how many calories she's getting out of her veggies though. Regardless, I have upped the amount of kibble she gets fed at every meal to 1 1/8 cup instead of 3/4 cup, which brings her daily calorie intake to about 1044. The 1/2 cup per day of veggie slop should cover the rest...I think.

I feel bad, but I never noticed she lost some weight until my friend pointed it out. That's when I decided to weigh Abby...she lost roughly 5lbs in the past couple months! Poor baby...time to fatten her back up with more food. Haha. She's not an avid water drinker, but I noticed if I take her on 1-1.5 hour walks in the morning and in the evening, she drinks a lot more. Plus, she gets frozen apple sauce or ice cubes in the middle of the day as a treat.

That calories that you read about is a line but does not mean that every dog needs it. Bine of mine get less or otherwise I can roll her around and Bobbi get much much more and he is still a skinny fellow

If she is on a good weight and not skinny than she is getting enough but if she does lose weight she needs more. But keep her weight in eye so she will not get to much so you can roll her around after two months

Yes! Don't look at the size of your dog! Every dog has an individual metabolism, no matter the size.

Mine 66lbs dog eats almost a kilo of meat a day, the 77lbs dog get 600grams a day and also the 39lbs dog gets 600gram.
Do the counting

Well, I have been feeding her a little bit more. I will weigh her again in another week to see if it has done her any good. Taking Abby on walks in the morning and evening has increased her water intake so her pee isn't as yellow anymore. Yay, progress! I'm dead tired by the time I go to bed though, but I figure it's good exercise for the both of us. I think we walk about 5-6 miles a day? O_O