May 2010
Now that the snow has melted and spring is here there is lots of new ground to explore, we need to pay closer attention to what our four legged friends may be getting into... Remember that puppies like to taste things and curious breeds such as Retrievers and Terriers tend to get into undue trouble! Stories from clients as well veterinary staff have provided a list of “favorite articles for consumption” including rocks and/or gravel, underwear (sometimes multiple pair), socks, corn on the cob, string and needle with the thread still attached. Ingestion of a foreign object is an emergency; contact your vet immediately! Determining whether or not a foreign body has actually been consumed can be difficult. There are certain objects that may not show up on ultrasound and/or x-ray. If you have an aggressive chewer, it is best to buy toys that are digestible or that say radio opaque (visible on x-ray). Sharp toys/objects may wreak havoc on the esophagus, stomach and intestines by puncturing the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. If this occurs, bacteria may leak into the intra-abdominal area, triggering inflammation and infection called Peritonitis, which is very life threatening. Foreign bodies can also cause intussusception (when one portion of intestine slides into the next, like a collapsing telescope). If you see a foreign object protruding from the mouth or anus of your pet, do not pull on it because it could still be attached at the other end. Items such as string, cloth and even long blades of grass can cause extensive damage to the intestine if pulled on, often requiring surgery. Symptoms that your pet may have ingested a foreign body include anorexia (not eating), drooling, vomiting, a painful tummy that may look bloated, lethargy, lack of defecation and depression.
Dr. Christine Murdoch, DMV
Murdoch Veterinary Clinic
Prince George, B.C.
What you might like to know about “foreign body ingestion”