What Should You Do If Your Dog Swallows a Foreign Object?
Most breeds of dog are, by their very nature, inquisitive. They love to pick things up with their mouths to explore and, often, to find out whether things are edible or not. More often than not, this type of activity is harmless, and you can safely allow your dog to continue with their habit, but occasionally, this type of activity can lead to disaster. What should you do if your dog appears to have swallowed something by mistake?
Don't Do This
If your dog appears to be in some distress and you believe that they have swallowed something, it is important to maintain your composure. Some people, in this situation, may try to force the dog to vomit, but this is not recommended at all. If you were able to see the foreign object before it disappeared and therefore know what it is, this is valuable information for your vet. It'll help them to determine the best course of action and how to deal with the object itself.
Dealing with the Object
Sometimes, a vet is able to induce reflux using a safe approach, and this may be the easiest technique if the object is soft in texture. Otherwise, they may be able to use some surgical instruments while the animal is under anaesthesia to retrieve the object before it passes further down the windpipe.
Clearly, you will need to take action as soon as possible so that the vet can try to retrieve the object using the least invasive method. You don't want to waste any time here and allow the object to pass into the stomach or, worse, into the intestines. If you do, it could cause a blockage, and this would almost certainly require a form of surgery.
Out of Sight
Occasionally, you may not be aware that your dog has swallowed something that it shouldn't as you may not have seen the event itself. In this case, the animal may slowly go off their food or start to vomit for no apparent reason, and in this case, you should definitely talk with your vet as soon as possible. Remember, the intestines can become blocked quite quickly in this situation, and you will probably need to take the animal in for an emergency visit soon.
Best Approach
It can be difficult to discourage some of the more hyperactive breeds, especially younger dogs, from doing things that could be dangerous for them. Nevertheless, you should always be aware of what your animal is doing and should keep a number for your local emergency vet on hand.
To learn more, contact a veterinary hospital.