MY DOG HAS SWALLOWED SOMETHING!

What do I do?

Dogs can be prone to swallowing strange things. Here’s what to do…

If your dog has swallowed something, try and find out what it is, even if you have to make a reasonable guess. This information is really important. Should you need to take your dog to the vet, he will want to know this.

Some items appear visible on X-rays and some don’t. For example, although bones and stones can be seen on X-rays, items like a mielie cob or seaweed won’t show up.

There are places where a foreign body can get stuck, and this is also important as it really does determine the course of action. Some places like the back of the mouth can easily be accessed, whilst others, like inside the stomach, may be amenable to scoping. Still others, such as the intestines, will need surgery to remove the object.

WHAT TO DO...

In most cases, get your dog to the vet! There’s very little you can do at home and time may be of the essence. Diagnostics such as X-rays, barium or possibly ultrasound need to be performed on your dog.

WHAT THE VET WILL DO…

· Diagnostics

· Often the vet can actually feel the foreign body and confirm the diagnosis in this manner

· If the object is soft, like material, then this can be a diagnostic challenge

· Surgery to remove the foreign body

· If the foreign body obstructs the bowel and isn’t removed in time, this could be a very serious and possibly fatal situation

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms that your dog has swallowed something are either vomiting or diarrhoea, or both. Usually the dog doesn’t want to eat or drink, and should they attempt to do so, they usually vomit quite soon afterwards.

GO FOR PREVENTION!

Dogs have been known to swallow anything from toys to rocks and socks. If your dog is partial to something in particular, keep these items out of his reach at all times. You could also use a deterrent such as a bitter apple spray, but it doesn’t always work on all dogs.

Some dogs develop a habit of swallowing strange things (also known as Pica in dogs) out of boredom; a dog looking for something to do often explores with his mouth, and for some, ingestion of the item is their next logical step. Adding stimulation to your dog’s life can help with this, so add more activity to your dog’s day. Go for walks, do obedience training, play together, swim with your dog, and give him or her other things to do, like making a sand pit for them to dig in.

Give your dog things to chew on that he or she can’t swallow and stuff them with treats. In the summer months, fill a suitable and very sturdy toy, such as a Kong, with peanut butter or wet food and then freeze it. Your dog will spend hours trying to get the treat out and satisfy the need for chewing and swallowing.