Signs Your Pet Ate Something Foreign
If your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, it may mean that he ingested something foreign or toxic:
If your dog ingests a foreign object, you should take her to the vet. If your normal vet is unavailable, call a 24-hour emergency animal clinic and describe the situation. According to Shari Brown, DVM, the best measure is to allow the professionals to properly assess the situation.
“Owners should not wait to see if the object will pass on its own. Do not try to induce vomiting without a veterinarian’s okay, as there are some foreign bodies that can cause just as much harm coming back out.”
If the veterinarian suspects that a foreign object has been ingested, they will order X-rays to determine the appropriate method of treatment. Depending on the severity of the situation, a vet may able to help your dog pass the object by inducing vomiting.
Some objects may need to be removed through endoscopy. If that is the case, the vet will place a long tube down your dog’s throat and will remove the object from her stomach. “This is non-invasive, involves less risks, and the only recovery time is from the anesthesia,” says Brown.
If the object has passed through the stomach and into the intestines, however, a more invasive surgery may be required. “There are less complications if the object can be gotten out of the stomach than out of the intestines. If an intestinal obstruction occurs, there is a risk of having to remove some of the intestines, which increases the chance of complications.”
Accidental ingestion is one of the most common emergencies at Tier 1. Whether your pet consumes an indigestible object or a toxic substance, please bring them to the vet as soon as possible. Early intervention can prevent a potentially life-threatening situation.
The severity of reactions varies greatly between dogs depending on their tolerance. Instead of raisins or grapes, try rewarding your dog with carrots or blueberries as treats.
As a general rule of thumb, don’t leave socks, underwear, cloth napkins, or other fabric items out for your dog to get into. Your dog’s safety can be great motivation to keep your bedroom and laundry room tidy!
In addition to your pet ingesting foreign objects, accidental ingestion of toxic substances also presents complications. Some of the most common toxicities that we see are raisins, THC products, human pharmaceuticals, mushrooms, and chocolate.
If your pet ingests a THC product, you need to get them to the vet right away, as it can cause death. THC products are currently legal in Alaska, so don’t let the fear of “getting caught” prevent you from seeking help for your pet.
What Goes In, Must Come Out
If what your dog eats is small enough, it will pass through his system without causing problems. “If it makes it to the colon, youre home free,” Fullerton says. So if you see whatever your dog ingested in his feces, things will be okay. But if a foreign object gets stuck somewhere in your dogs system, it can cause problems.
Foreign bodies are initially difficult to diagnose, Fullerton says. “Most of the time it doesnt show up on the X-ray,” he says. “If the dog eats a rock, thats easy. That will show up. … Coins are horrible, pennies especially.” Newer pennies are mostly made of zinc. “And zinc is toxic,” he says.
But not everything shows up on an X-ray. “Rubbery things may not show up plainly,” he says. A linear foreign body (aka string, yarn, or twine) can stay in the stomach and bunch up. “If you see string coming out of your dogs end, never pull it,” Fullerton says. It might be wrapped around something inside the dog. Your veterinarian can use an endoscope, which allows them to look inside your dog without exploratory surgery. The vet can see a foreign body, and it can be removed. If an X-ray or endoscopy doesnt reveal the foreign body, exploratory surgery is the next step.
What do you do when your dog eats something it shouldn’t?
Bones, rubber toys, stones, socks, underwear and baby’s dummies are just a few examples of items removed from dogs at PDSA Pet Hospitals. Gut blockages are very serious and can kill a dog if not treated quickly.
Acting fast could save your dogs life. Contact your vet immediately for an emergency appointment if your dog has eaten something harmful. Never wait to see if a problem develops – your dog could become very ill or even die without treatment.
You know your dog – even if you’re not quite sure whether they have eaten something harmful, if you’re concerned it’s always best to contact your vet.
Your dog may vomit after eating something harmful, but it’s more likely that symptoms will take a couple of days to develop (depending on what they has eaten).
Contact your vet immediately for an emergency appointment if you think that your dog may have eaten something harmful.