Whether it be a toy, a string, or any of the other items we listed yesterday, a foreign body stuck in your pet’s digestive tract can be a life threatening concern. If you’re not sure if your pet swallowed something or not, be on the lookout for these symptoms.
Vomiting: If the digestive tract is blocked, your pet will not be able to pass food or water normally. This will force your pet into vomiting every bit of kibble or water back up.
Abdominal pain: If your pet’s abdomen is all of a sudden sensitive to the touch, this can also be a sign of a foreign body. When an item is lodged in the stomach or intestines, it does damage to the organs (especially if it’s been in there a while) and puts your pet in a lot of pain.
Loss of appetite: Quite understandable, when you think about it. If your pet ends up vomiting every time it tries to eat and with lots of abdominal pain, he or she may just avoid eating in general.
Dehydration: Pets who aren’t drinking water due to a foreign body will quickly dehydrate. Some pets may try to drink water and regurgitate or vomit it back up.
Diarrhea: Since your pet is not able to fully digest their food, diarrhea (or lack of stool in general) can be a sign of a foreign body. Diarrhea can occur with or without the presence of blood when caused by a foreign body.
If you see any of these symptoms in your cat or dog, they should be taken to your veterinarian immediately.
At Emerald Animal Hospital, we want to be sure your pet has the best chance of recovering from any ailment-including foreign body ingestion. By using diagnostic testing (including running bloodwork and taking x-rays), we will determine if there is a need for a surgery to remove the object. We will support your pet with IV fluids, high calorie foods, and lots of TLC. If you have any additional questions or need to set up an appointment for the four-legged-friend in your life, give us a call at 216-749-7161.