Alexei Volkov
Dogs are naturally curious and tend to explore new objects with their mouths, which can sometimes lead to them ingesting plastic items. If you suspect your dog has eaten plastic, it is important to act quickly and seek veterinary advice to ensure your pet's safety. The steps you should take depend on the seriousness of the situation, ranging from monitoring your dog's behaviour to seeking emergency veterinary care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Check if the dog is choking, coughing, gagging, or exhibiting panicked behaviour. If so, call the vet and head to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately. |
| Next steps | If the dog is not in imminent danger, try to determine how much plastic was eaten and what type. |
| When to go to the vet | If the dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, is constipated, or is refusing to eat for more than a day or two after the incident. |
| Vet treatment | The vet may take an X-ray to determine the extent of the situation and decide on the best course of action, which could include monitoring, inducing vomiting, or surgery. |
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What You'll Learn
Inducing vomiting to remove plastic from the dog's stomach
If your dog has eaten plastic, it is important to remain calm and act quickly. Check that your dog is breathing normally and is not choking on any of the plastic. If they are coughing, gagging, or exhibiting panicked behaviour, call your vet and head to your nearest veterinary hospital immediately.
If your dog is not in imminent danger, you should try to figure out how much plastic they have eaten and what type of plastic it is. If the plastic is still in their mouth, ensure that none of it is stuck between their teeth or on the roof of their mouth.
If your dog has consumed a large amount of plastic, or if they are showing any signs of distress, discomfort, vomiting, or loss of appetite, contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately. They will be able to advise on the best course of action, which may include inducing vomiting to remove the plastic from your dog's stomach.
Inducing vomiting can be a quick way to remove a potentially harmful substance from your dog's body. However, it should only be done under the guidance of a veterinarian, as it can be dangerous and even lethal if done incorrectly. Some objects, such as batteries, caustic materials, or sharp objects, can cause additional harm if regurgitated. In addition, the act of inducing vomiting itself carries risks, such as aspiration pneumonia, which can be especially dangerous for brachycephalic breeds like Pugs or Pekingese. Therefore, it is important to consult a veterinary professional before attempting to induce vomiting in your dog.
If your dog has ingested plastic but is not exhibiting any signs of distress, you can monitor them at home and ensure they stay hydrated. Keep them calm and restrict any rigorous activities until there are no complications. Small pieces of plastic may pass through your dog's system without issues, but larger or sharper pieces can cause complications. Check their stool for any plastic pieces that might pass through. If you notice any abnormal behaviour or signs of obstruction, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, or loss of appetite, bring your dog to the vet immediately.
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X-rays to determine the severity of the situation
If your dog has eaten plastic, it is important to act quickly to ensure your dog's safety. Check if your dog is breathing normally and if it is choking on any of the plastic. If your dog is coughing, gagging, or exhibiting panicked behaviour, call your vet and head to your nearest veterinary hospital immediately.
If your dog is not exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should still try to figure out how much plastic your dog has eaten and determine the type of plastic swallowed. This is important because the type of plastic may represent an additional danger. For example, if your dog has consumed anything containing batteries, you should contact your vet immediately as batteries are corrosive and can cause internal bleeding and life-threatening burns.
If your dog is not in imminent danger, your vet will likely recommend an X-ray or ultrasound scan to try to locate any blockages. An X-ray can be helpful in deciphering the extent of the situation. It can help the vet figure out if the plastic poses a severe risk to your dog or if it will likely pass on its own. For instance, if the plastic is small and smooth enough, it may pass with no damage. In other cases, the plastic may be sharp or pointy and may penetrate through the wall of the gut, leading to a serious and life-threatening infection.
If the blockage is in the stomach or small intestine, you will often see severe vomiting, where your dog is unable to keep food or water down, and your dog may not be passing any faeces. In these cases, surgery will likely be suggested.
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Surgery to remove plastic causing digestive obstruction
If your dog has eaten plastic, it is important to act quickly to ensure your pet's safety. Check if your dog is breathing normally and if there is any plastic stuck in their mouth or throat. If your dog is choking, coughing, gagging, or exhibiting panicked behaviour, call your vet and head to your nearest veterinary hospital immediately.
If your dog is not in imminent danger, you should try to figure out how much plastic they have eaten and what type of plastic it is. If the plastic is still in your dog's mouth, carefully remove it. If it is not easily removable, you will need to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible, as plastic lodged at the back of the throat can cause severe tissue damage and infection.
If your dog has consumed batteries, contact your vet immediately as this is a medical emergency. Batteries are corrosive and can cause internal bleeding and life-threatening burns.
If your dog is stable, monitor them for any abnormal behaviour, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, or refusing to eat or drink. If your dog starts exhibiting any of these symptoms, take them to the vet right away. Your vet will likely recommend an X-ray to determine if the plastic poses a severe risk and whether it will need to be surgically removed.
If your dog has a severe digestive obstruction, your vet may recommend surgery to remove the blockage. This procedure is often lifesaving, as intestinal blockages can lead to fatal complications if left untreated. During the surgery, your dog will be placed under general anaesthesia, and the vet will open their abdomen and examine the digestive tract. Once the blockage is located, the vet will make an incision in that area of the intestines and carefully extract the plastic.
The surgery is considered invasive and requires a longer recovery time. Your dog will need to stay in the hospital for several days following the procedure. The cost of intestinal blockage surgery can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on various factors such as the type of surgery, the extent of the blockage, and your dog's overall health and age.
It is important to carefully follow your vet's discharge instructions to ensure your dog fully recovers from the surgery. To prevent your dog from experiencing intestinal blockages in the future, keep plastic items and other tempting objects out of their reach. Provide them with durable, size-appropriate chew toys instead.
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Monitor for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite
If your dog has ingested plastic, it is important to monitor them closely for any symptoms or behavioural changes. Vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite are common symptoms to look out for, and they may indicate that your dog is experiencing digestive issues due to plastic consumption.
Vomiting
If your dog vomits, it could be their body's natural response to eliminate the foreign object. However, repeated or prolonged vomiting (lasting more than a few hours) should be a cause for concern. In such cases, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian for advice and appropriate treatment.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is another symptom that may occur if your dog has ingested plastic. Mild diarrhoea may resolve on its own, but if it becomes persistent or contains blood, it is important to seek veterinary attention. Diarrhoea could indicate that the plastic is irritating your dog's digestive tract or causing inflammation.
Loss of Appetite
If your dog refuses to eat for more than a day or two after ingesting plastic, it is a sign of concern. Loss of appetite, or inappetence, could indicate that your dog is experiencing discomfort or intestinal issues due to the presence of plastic in their digestive system.
It is important to monitor your dog's behaviour and overall health closely. If they exhibit any abnormal behaviour, such as coughing, gagging, or panicked behaviour, abdominal pain, or unusual lying positions, it could be a sign of intestinal obstruction or other complications. Additionally, keep an eye on their stool to determine if they are passing the plastic through their digestive tract. If you notice large pieces of plastic in their stool or if they are straining to defecate, it may indicate a blockage and should be addressed by a veterinarian.
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Preventative measures to avoid dogs eating plastic
Dogs are naturally curious and adventurous, and their keen sense of smell can lead them to ingest plastic items, which can be hazardous to their health. Here are some preventative measures to avoid dogs from eating plastic:
Preventative Measures to Avoid Dogs from Eating Plastic:
- Provide Safe Alternatives: Offer your dog a variety of safe, high-quality chew toys and teething rings, especially when they are teething or going through their chewing phase. This helps redirect their chewing behaviour away from plastic items.
- Pet-Proof Your Home: Ensure plastic items are not left within your dog's reach. Keep plastic items secured and out of sight, especially those with enticing smells, such as food wrappers.
- Supervise and Train: Supervise your dog, especially when they are exploring new objects or playing outdoors. Train them with commands like “drop it” to prevent them from picking up plastic items.
- Secure Trash: Dogs may be attracted to trash bins, so ensure they are securely covered or kept in areas your dog cannot access.
- Be Aware of Plastic Types: Some plastics, like laundry detergent cubes, can be particularly harmful. Be mindful of the types of plastic in your home and their potential dangers.
- Regular Vet Check-ups: Regular check-ups can help identify any gastrointestinal issues that may make your dog more prone to ingesting plastic. It also allows for early detection and treatment of any plastic-related issues.
- Pet Insurance: Consider investing in pet insurance to help cover the costs of any emergency veterinary care, as plastic ingestion can lead to expensive treatments.
Remember, it is essential to be vigilant and proactive in preventing plastic ingestion. Dogs can recover from plastic ingestion, but taking preventive measures is always the best course of action to ensure their health and safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Contact your vet immediately. If you get to the scene as your dog is ingesting the plastic, try to remove any plastic present in its mouth to avoid further danger.
If your dog is coughing, gagging, exhibiting panicked behaviour, or showing signs of abdominal pain, these may suggest an intestinal obstruction. If the plastic is lodged at the back of the throat, this will need to be removed by the vet under sedation.
Plastic ingestion can cause choking, airway obstruction, esophageal injury, intestinal obstruction, and peritonitis. Intestinal obstruction is more common in smaller dogs.
The vet will monitor your dog to ensure that no new symptoms appear. They may attempt to bulk up your dog's diet to get the plastic to move through the intestine quickly and safely. An X-ray can help the vet decipher the extent of the situation.
Don't leave plastic items lying around and ensure your dog has safe teething chew toys.
