Dogs will eat just about anything, including objects that might really surprise you, including rocks, socks, hair bands, and skewers. Our 24-hour emergency staff at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has seen a parade of typical (and unusual) items come in for removal.
How would you know if your dog swallows a foreign object, what should you do if you suspect your dog has swallowed something, and what happens when you take your dog to the vet’s office?
When In Doubt, Go To The Vet
The best and safest course of action is to take the dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can so they can perform an abdominal x-ray to ensure that whatever the dog swallowed can pass safely through the dog’s intestine and bowel. Large, pointed, or sharp objects will not be able to be eliminated through “normal channels.” To prevent blockages and intestinal perforations, these will probably need to be surgically removed. Please take this seriously as it is a serious issue and failing to provide your dog with immediate assistance could result in his demise.
Is there anything you can do at home if you know exactly what your dog ate and it wasn’t something big, pointy, or sharp? What if it was a face cloth, a sock, or some stuffing from a toy that is now stuck and causing stomach distress in your dog?
Yes, there is something you can do in these circumstances to help relieve the stomach discomfort and assist your dog in passing the small foreign object that is relatively harmless to the dog’s bowels.
BUT …. USE THIS OR ANY OTHER METHOD TO PASS A LARGE OR DANGEROUS ITEM(S) THROUGH YOUR DOG’S DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AT YOUR RISK AS YOU WILL CAUSE LETHAL DAMAGE TO THE STOMACH AND BOWEL!
Only very small, pliable objects that have been swallowed but are no longer moving through the digestive tract should be treated using this technique. And only use these techniques if you are certain what was swallowed—that is, if you saw him swallow it. Take the dog to the veterinarian right away if you have any doubts. Don’t just guess and hope that you guessed correctly.
Signs When a Dog Swallows a Foreign Object
You might or might not see your dog consume an inappropriate item. Sometimes there are obvious signs, but many times there aren’t. What indications and signs should you look for to determine whether your dog has ingested a foreign object?
Your pet may occasionally simply exhibit altered behavior, as though something is wrong. If you think your pet may be ill or that something is not right, always follow up. Consider the situation urgent, if not an emergency, when a foreign object has been consumed. And time is important. Frequently, a stomach-reachable object will enter the intestines and cause a blockage that must be surgically removed.
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The pit was broad and flat, and it was highly unlikely that it would extend past the stomach. I believed that if we forced Barkley to vomit, it might become lodged in his esophagus. The mango pit needed to be made slippery enough to easily slip out, so we had to figure out how to do that.
I advised him to prepare two cups of cooked squash, puree it, and then add a third of a cup of flaxseed steeped in the same volume of hot water. Flax seed contributed to the mixture’s overall sliminess and slickness, which was ideal for allowing the pit to slide out.
To make Barkley throw up, we gave him hydrogen peroxide – (to be given just before feeding- see dosing below). When peroxide reacts with stomach juices it bubbles up, which makes most dogs throw up.
In the unlikely event that the pit bull gets stuck, my friend and I agreed that he would call me if there was any news and that he would also be prepared to visit the neighborhood veterinarian. Finally, an hour later, Elan texted me, saying, “Peter, call me!”
Oh no, I thought, “Barkley may be in trouble!” I called immediately, waiting for a response with dread. “Peter, we got the pit! ” my friend proclaimed victoriously.
We were both ecstatic. Barkley didn’t need to go under the knife. Additionally, abdominal surgery is unquestionably much more expensive than a single squash, some flaxseed, and a little peroxide!
This whole story prompted me to write a little more on foreign body ingestion because this was not the first time I have seen dogs eating strange things including a fine china plate with the dinner, 10 golf balls or a corn cob.
If your dog consumed a poisonous plant or substance, or if you are unsure of what exactly entered Fido’s stomach, call your neighborhood emergency medical services. Otherwise, read on.
1. If the answer is no and your dog has been vomiting or having diarrhea repeatedly for more than a day or seems to be acting strangely, call your veterinarian right away. If the response is YES, continue to step 2 to determine what your dog ate.
2. If your dog is drooling, something might be lodged in their esophagus or they may have consumed a toxin. You should see your vet immediately. If the answer is NO go to STEP 3.
3. The size of the object is more than 1. If the object is larger than 1 inch in diameter, then 5 inches It is unlikely that something with a diameter of 5 inches would move any further in the small intestine. You can employ the subsequent procedure if your dog seems to be in good health and is calm.
Prepare the following mixture and feed to your dog;
Within 30 minutes, expect to see vomiting, and hopefully you’ll be the lucky winner. Go to step 4 if your dog doesn’t vomit and appears healthy.
4. The foreign body is smaller than 1. If your dog is not throwing up and seems to be in good health, feed him the following combination:
Feed this meal for two to three days. Many foreign bodies pass with no problem.
5. Consult your veterinarian if your dog is agitated, vomits more than once, or has diarrhea that lasts longer than 24 hours.
6. When away from home, confine your dog to a dog pen or a space free of potentially dangerous objects if you are aware that your puppy or adult dog enjoys chewing on things. Never undergo exploratory surgery if you think you might need it in a situation where surgery is required unless the presence of a foreign body has been confirmed. The initial diagnostic steps that need to be taken are barium radiographs, ultrasound, or endoscopy. Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the stomach is frequently an option to avoid surgical trauma and risks. If your dog seems to be fine but your veterinarian is recommending surgery or if a foreign body was not confirmed, get a second opinion.
7. I frequently find that dogs are very good at informing us when there is something missing in their food, so your dog may be eating objects because he is lacking nutrients. In agriculture, soil erosion frequently results in severe nutritional deficits, which lead to dogs scavenging. The best way to avoid this is to feed a healthy, non-processed raw or cooked diet as well as supplements. The essential supplements that my patients and my dog Skai take are listed below.
Patti – Facebook
Please take note that the information above is not meant to take the place of expert medical care or to treat any medical condition.
FAQ
How long does it take a foreign object to pass through a dog?
It typically takes your dog between 10 and 24 hours for something they ingest to pass through their entire digestive system. However, some objects can take weeks or even months to pass through the digestive tract because they are too large, which results in an obstruction.
What happens if a dog eats something they can’t pass?
Visit your vet as soon as possible Your vet will be able to decide the best course of action based on what your dog has consumed. In order to remove the foreign bodies from your dog’s stomach after it ate something like chocolate or onions, your veterinarian will likely induce vomiting in that case.
How long does it take for something to pass through a dog’s stomach?
Dogs typically take four to eight hours to digest food, but it may take them up to 12 hours, depending on the breed or size of the dog, the type of food they are eating, how much exercise they get, and their gut microbiome.
How can I help my dog pass a sharp object?
Whatever your dog ate will be cushioned and helped pass through the intestine by the soft food and hydrated bread method. To help remove sharp objects, many veterinarians advise using this method of feeding bread and high-fiber pumpkin.