Canines study their surroundings by mouthing, tasting, and chewing, which causes them to consume potentially hazardous foreign objects. When a toy breaks or anything falls on the ground, dogs may swallow alien objects. Puppies who dig through garbage cans for leftovers are drawn to used tampons and grease-stained aluminum foil. Foreign body obstruction in dogs is a medical emergency that can cost you money and your pet’s life if not handled right away.
What should I do if my dog swallows anything foreign?
You must immediately contact a veterinarian from places like Upland Veterinary Hospital to alert them of the issue. Even if you fear your dog has eaten something, you must contact your veterinarian right away. The likelihood of the object being struck and the best course of action will be given to you.
Why see the veterinarian immediately?
If your normal veterinarian cannot assist you, contact a 24-hour animal emergency center and describe the situation. The ideal plan of action enables specialists to accurately examine the problem here. The owner should not sit back and wait for the thing to pass by on its own. Do not induce vomiting without a veterinarian’s permission, as certain foreign things can inflict just as much injury when evacuated.
What will the veterinarian perform to diagnose the situation?
Your veterinarian will be able to notify you of the necessary therapy for your pet once the clinical examination, symptoms, and information on the foreign body and its likely location have been collated.
If your pet is otherwise healthy and recently swallowed the object, your veterinarian may be able to induce vomiting to prevent a blockage farther down the intestines. Objects lodged in the mouth, such as a bone hooked on a tooth, can be easily retrieved during a consultation, sedation, or local anesthetic. If the foreign object is tiny enough, you can monitor your dog’s appetite, clinical symptoms, and feces to ensure that it has passed safely.
A blood test may be required to rule out other possible causes of your pet’s clinical symptoms and to screen for electrolyte imbalances, degree of dehydration, and other foreign body-related concerns. Fluids given intravenously will aid in rehydrating your pet.
To further understand stomach issues, your veterinarian may recommend abdominal x-rays. They will look for the foreign object and changes in the intestinal gas pattern. If a foreign body or an obstruction is not readily obvious, a contrast agent or barium test may be needed. An abdominal ultrasound can also be useful for examining the abdomen and guiding treatment. Esophageal foreign bodies can be diagnosed and removed using flexible endoscopes.
To avoid blockage and significant problems, advanced veterinary surgery in Upland may be recommended to remove the foreign body from the intestines. The longer the foreign body is there, the more difficult the outcome. A section of the colon may need to be removed if it is deemed sick and likely to deteriorate after surgery. A ruptured gut and the resulting peritonitis have a much poorer prognosis.
Prevention Is Preferable to Cure
For foreign object emergencies, prevention is the best option. Dogs use their tongues to examine the world and devour inedible stuff. Because they consume so many different foods, eliminating all temptation may be impossible. If your dog likes socks and underwear, keep them out of his reach. Keep skewered meat out of reach of children; they’ll eat the skewer as well. Ensure that your pet cannot ingest new toys, rawhide, or dental chews.
