Month: September 2024

The post My Dog Swallowed Underwear: Vet Explained Risks, Signs & Next Steps by Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

A few years after I graduated from vet school, I was presented with an uncomfortable Labrador who was struggling with some constipation. Upon performing a rectal exam, I found and removed the source of the problem: a red, lace thong. At least, I’m pretty sure it was red; it wasn’t exactly in the best condition!

Depending on the size of the dog and the size of the underwear, swallowed undergarments could cause no problems, constipation, or even a life-threatening obstruction. If your dog has managed to partake of some panties, taste some tighty-whities, or feast on French knickers, you should phone your vet immediately for advice. There’s a good chance that there’ll be no need to panic, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

What Happens if My Dog Swallows Underwear?

If you have a large, well-hydrated dog, there is a good chance that swallowed underwear will gradually make its way through the digestive system. Sometimes, items like this (that are not able to be broken down by stomach acids) may stay in the stomach for a day or two and will likely take a few more days to make their way through the intestines. But if it’s been more than 4 to 5 days since your dog swallowed them, it’s time to contact your vet.

If your dog isn’t so lucky, it’s possible that the underwear could cause an obstruction in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

Signs of an Esophageal Obstruction

Signs of a Gastric (Stomach) or Intestinal Obstruction

If the underwear moves into the large colon, you may see signs of constipation, like squatting repeatedly and straining to defecate.

Will My Dog Need Surgery?

If your dog develops an obstruction, surgery is one of the more likely outcomes. Your vet will perform imaging, usually X-rays, to get an idea of where the obstruction is and how to treat it. Sometimes, administering intravenous fluids and lubricating medications may be enough to get the problematic piece of fabric to pass through the colon, but if there is no hope of the article making its way to the exit, surgery will be needed to retrieve it.

Left untreated, the obstruction may lead to intestinal perforation and potentially deadly peritonitis.

Should I Make My Dog Vomit?

If you have just witnessed your dog swallow underwear (or any other non-food item) you need to first get in touch with your vet. The next steps may depend on the size of your dog and the size of the underwear, plus the age and health of your dog.

You should never attempt to make your dog vomit at home unless specifically instructed to by your vet.

What Else Should I Watch Out For?

The most important thing to be keeping an eye on is whether your dog is eating, drinking, and going to the toilet normally. If your dog seems off-color or uncomfortable in any way, do not hesitate to get your dog examined. If you are waiting for your dog to pass a soft item like underwear, hydration is key. The longer it stays in the intestines, the drier it will become, making its passage even more difficult. By making sure your dog is drinking plenty of water, you can help things along.

Should I Feed My Dog?

Do not give your dog anything to eat until you have spoken to your vet.

If the plan is to monitor your dog at home, feeding small amounts of food little and often can help keep their digestive tract moving, which may help to speed up the passage of the swallowed item. This also gives us an indication of whether your dog is still wanting to eat or if they are having difficulty digesting food.

Conclusion

If your dog has swallowed your, or anyone else’s, underwear, don’t panic. Dogs that are large enough to ingest underwear are often large enough to have them pass all the way through their digestive tract, but you should get in touch with your vet for specific advice and instructions. They may recommend that you bring your dog in to make them vomit, to give them fluids and medication, or to monitor them closely.

Although some swallowed underwear may seem like a bit of a comical situation, it could become a serious problem, so don’t hesitate to speak with your vet for advice.

Featured Image Credit: Tamer A Soliman, Shutterstock

The post My Dog Swallowed Underwear: Vet Explained Risks, Signs & Next Steps by Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post My Dog Ate a Tampon: Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps (Vet Answer) by Dr. Samantha Devine DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Yikes! You just got home and discovered your dog had a party in the bathroom trash can. On closer inspection, your dog might have eaten a tampon. Is it time to panic?

What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Tampon

First, take a deep breath and remove your dog from the “scene of the crime” so they can’t eat anything else. Don’t panic. Calmly check to see if your dog strews trash everywhere and might have hidden some items or if they might have eaten a tampon.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if it looks like your dog ate a tampon. The vet will likely need to see your dog as soon as possible. They might even need to refer you to a local emergency hospital. The veterinary team will ask if there’s anything else your dog might have eaten, especially because other things the pup ingests could be even more dangerous.

Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!

If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

Click to Speak With a Vet

What Are the Risks of Your Dog Eating a Tampon?

Why are we worrying if your dog ate a tampon? After all, your furry friend might eat socks, paper, or other crazy things. Well, tampons can expand and cause lots of issues, especially if you have a small dog.

Obstruction

Tampons expand and can easily obstruct your dog’s intestines, especially if you have a small dog. An exploratory surgery could be necessary.

Gastrointestinal Upset

Any time your dog eats something unusual, you run the risk of GI upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea (and sometimes both). Severe cases can even lead to pancreatitis.

Trauma From the Applicator

If your dog eats a plastic tampon applicator, it can cause trauma to your dog’s intestines beyond just a blockage. In addition to scratching the intestinal walls, sharp points on a plastic applicator can lead to intestinal perforation and peritonitis, which could be deadly.

Signs to Monitor for If Your Dog Ate a Tampon

Signs that your dog ate a tampon are quite variable. You might see your dog vomit or have diarrhea. Your pup might not have an appetite.

Other signs can include:

Veterinary Diagnostics and Treatment if Your Dog Ate a Tampon

If your dog ate a tampon, your veterinarian will need to know when your dog might have eaten it. This time frame is essential because your vet might need to induce vomiting if it was a recent ingestion. The vet will likely recommend radiographs (X-rays) to check for an obstruction. The vet will sometimes use contrast to check for a blockage or may take serial radiographs (one every several hours) to see if the stomach contents are moving through the gut.

Depending on how sick he is, your dog might need exploratory surgery or hospitalization for several days.

Your veterinarian will usually treat any gastrointestinal distress symptomatically. Your dog might be on anti-nausea medications like Cerenia (maropitant) or probiotics to help with diarrhea. If your dog is dehydrated, they might need fluid therapy.

Preventing Your Dog From Eating a Tampon

Our dogs are clever, so we must thoroughly strive to puppy-proof our houses. To help prevent your puppy from getting into trash cans, keep them in the cabinet or enclosed with a lid. Closing the bathroom door may also be helpful if you have a dog who likes to tip the trash can.

Plenty of mental enrichment can also help keep your dog from getting bored and destructive. Canine puzzle toys come in a range of styles. Snuffle mats are a simple tool to draw out mealtime or occupy your dog with small treats. You can even make them at home if you’re interested in DIY!

Conclusion

If your dog ate a tampon, don’t panic. Contact your veterinarian so that your dog can be evaluated. Often, your veterinarian will need to take radiographs to look for an obstruction, which would likely warrant exploratory surgery.

Featured Image Credit: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A, Shutterstock

The post My Dog Ate a Tampon: Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps (Vet Answer) by Dr. Samantha Devine DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.