The longer this problem is left, the more extreme the consequences are likely to be. If the tampon expands rapidly and causes a blockage in your dogs stomach, they may vomit and bring up the tampon, thus resolving the blockage and avoiding a major medical issue. If something smells like their pet parent, it must be OK to eat! The worst part about this is that if your dog does develop a blockage in its intestinal tract due to swallowing a tampon, it may take a few days before you begin to notice the signs that something is wrong. The deadliness of a blockage is why it is so vital that you pay attention to what goes into your dog's throat. My Dog Ate My Tampon, What Treatment Will They Need? This ensures that even if your dog does get into the trash, they have a decreased probability of getting into a zippered plastic bag as well. If your dog ate a tampon and you don't know what to do next, reach out to the team at Pawp. My dog ate a guitar pic. We are all guilty of this bad habit from time to time, but all too often, we do not consider our actions until it is too late. This is because it takes so many different forms, but most plastic is indigestible. My puppy ( 9 weeks old) Pomeranian ate a lot of plastic!!! Keeping things locked away will prevent your animals from harmful accidents, so if you think there is any chance they may get something, it is always better to move it and remove the chance. Most food passes through your dog's digestive system within about ten hours. But in more extreme cases, surgery can be required and your dog will end up with stitches and wearing a cone. It can stretch very thin over the blockage, and even die or burst and spill its contents, leading to peritonitisan infection that can easily become fatal. This makes them less likely to smell something tempting. Just think of all the plastic stuff laying around that a dog can chew on: If your dog has eaten plastic and starts to choke and show abdominal pain, even throwing up, this is the time to rush him to your vet and to consider it a medical emergency. Best wishes, Lucy. And are there any ways we can prevent it? If not, ask for your vets help. This will allow your pet to get the medical treatment they need and give them the best chance of making a speedy recovery. If you cant get into a vet on the weekend or in the middle of the night, you can chat with a Pawn Vet online for free. Then the vet will perform a basic examination and check your dog's vitals. For powerful leak protection, every day of your period. Some vets will even recommend hospitalizing the dog so that they can track the offending object via x-ray. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'expertanimal_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-expertanimal_com-medrectangle-3-0');If your dog ate tampon, you must intervene to make them feel better. If the tampon cannot be passed and instead forms a blockage, this can cut off the bodys ability to receive water, nutrients, and even proper blood circulation. These home remedies are not reliable, and these products can be extremely dangerous for your dogthe home remedy can sometimes make the dog sicker than the original problem! Is your pooch is a dumpster driver that likes to go through the trash (and found the plastic object there)? Your next step is to buy a trash can that is pet-proof and doesnt have an uncovered top so your pet cannot stick their nose into the garbage can. The Natracare applicator has a rounded tip for easy insertion. Around 20-25 pounds. If the bowel is badly damaged through stretching or tearing over the tampon, parts of it may need to be removed. ; How recently they ate it? An obstruction or blockage means that your pets digestive system will be unable to function properly, resulting in nothing being able to move through the gut.. Plus, some overly anxious or hungry dogs have a reason for seeking something to chew on. Tampons are notorious for causing obstructions in dogs. This is particularly important in smaller pooches where inducing vomiting with an expanded tampon will just cause your pet more discomfort and not actually have much chance of resolution. If part of the tampon is hanging out of the dogs butt, cut off that exposed portion with a scissors and consult with your vet. Tampons are soft outside of the applicator, but if your dog ate a tampon that was still in the wrapper or applicator, the plastic around the tampon might cause internal cuts and tear. Because your dogs digestive system is so critical for a variety of functions, you want to ensure that it's not compromised as a result of eating the tampon. $39.99. The 1st thing your vet will do is ask you questions about your pet's behavior. What it's all about. We all know dogs are not the most discerning of diners and will eat almost anything they shouldnt. Refusal to eat or drink, as well as the onset of diarrhea or constipation, signifies a trip to the vet. My year old Beagle plays with plastic water bottles and eats both ends. If your dog ate plastic, check in his mouth to make sure there are no other pieces he could also swallow. Because of the shape, material, and the fact that they have a string on them, tampons are very easy for your dog to choke on. It is vital to involve your veterinarian at the earliest opportunity, to ensure you get tailored advice to your situation and get sorted before problems arise. If your dog swallowed a plastic object, it would be in his intestines within about two hours. Dogs do not consider the long-term ramifications of eating things that they are not supposed to, and they are also very curious animals by nature. It can be very disturbing if your dog gets bitten by another dog. Here's what to do if your dog eats a tampon. Following these investigations, the veterinarian may again decide that monitoring the situation with supportive care (intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication, and pain relief, for example) is best. You can't say, I didn't see my dog eating any plastic, and believe he will get better. Watch closely, in particular, its eating and digestive habits. If your veterinarian is worried about the potential for a blockage, or if your dog is showing symptoms of illness (especially vomiting and pain), then further investigation of the problem is likely to be needed. Wanna boost your dog's superpowers? Quick action can increase your pets chances of full recovery. Tampons are foreign objects and are designed to remain intact in the body for extended periods of time. Some dogs seem to have endless appetites, looking for food everywhere. What nutrients is he missing ? Hes had 3 stomach surgeries and recently ate a washcloth which he passed with the vets help. He shows no sign of pain maybe we are safe? If you know the size of plastic the dog ate, maybe the vet might be able to get the dog to regurgitate it. The vet might even use a barium swallow so that the dog can pass the pieces of plastic via defecating. This way, your vet will already know what is going on, should the situation take a turn for the worse. If you or anybody else doesn't have the expertise, you could cause even more damage to your dog's health and further complications. Most dogs wont be able to pass a tampon, especially if it has expanded; this can cause intestinal obstruction. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. They can advise you on the best next step to take, whether that is to watch your dog at home or to take them to an emergency vet for an x-ray. If the object does not continue to move and/or your dog starts to vomit, then your vet can immediately take him into surgery. My 3 year old Yorkie just ate 3 of those Red wrappers that go around slices of bologna. Size of a hand with a small pull cord etc. Immediately you are aware that your dog swallowed plastic, call the vet so that he is aware of the situation. He will have to vomit it up very soon after eating it. Applicators are usually plastic too, although some are made from cardboard. Is plastic wrap passable or do I need to get him checked out? This is a bad combination for a dog owner who has a tendency to leave things around in easy to reach places. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their dogs; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. There are a few factors to consider when determining the level of danger your dog is in. You may need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. My dog ate half of his plastic dog bone he been throwing up blood what should I do. They take a normal everyday behavior that they enjoy, like chewing on something or eating. It is always easier to prevent an occurrence than to deal with it after the fact. Featured Image Credit: Stas Malyarevsky, Shutterstock, 24 Cocker Spaniel Colors & Patterns (With Pictures), My Dog Ate Chocolate! Your veterinarian will advise you on what to do for your dogs specific tampon-eating escapade. Joanna is an experienced vet working in the UK. Luckily, you have ample opportunity to prevent this from happening. Rspecially if they are not given high-quality hay. You may not know that your dog ate plastic until he passes a small object in his stool, is unable to eat, and/or starts throwing up. We vacuumed up, I checked mouth but I am afraid of sliver getting into his digestive wall. In some very lucky dogs, the tampon may be vomited back up again immediately, or be passed through the gut successfully and exit at the other end (after about two to five days), but there is always a risk of complications developing. What to do if your dog consumes a tampon. Heres What To Do, Answered by Dr. Olivia Speight, BVSc MRCVS (Vet), Dramamine For Dogs: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Answered by Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS (Vet), Rabies in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Care Guide, Have a cat? You can even hide them behind a locked medicine cabinet to keep your pets out of reach. Is your dog a compulsive chewer, or does he suffer from eating behavior? Flo's fun packaging is home to 14 organic cotton. If you noticed your dog eating a big piece of plastic, you could expect big problems. Also, tampons contain materials that can be toxic to dogs, including artificial fibers, alcohol, dioxin, and aluminum. Hi Eduardo, Please take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can. If your dog is gasping for air or coughing and is unable to clear its airway, this is a strong indication that they are choking on the tampon. He will need urgent evaluation and x-rays to determine what is causing those symptoms and how big the objects are. Read on to learn what can happen if your dog eats a tampon, what to do if it happens, and how to prevent it in the future. Is it true that used tampons are more harmful than unused tampons? Partially hanging out of my dogs but was what I now know was part of a baggie I very carefully and slowly slid the rest of the quart sized bag out!!!! Two things can happen. My Dog Ate Kong Rubber What Should I Do? You might have noticed plastic wrappers etc., in your dog's poo how do you prevent this from occurring again? Plastic tampon applicators are the most popular amongst women. Also, keep a look out for the tampon applicator in their stool. Hello, my small 1-year-old toy poodle mix was rummaging in the bin (while I wasnt looking) and swallowed half of a biscuit wrapper. There was fortunately no major damage to his intestines. An obstruction or blockage causes your pets digestive tract to malfunction, making it difficult to pass liquids or solids. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? If your dog eats a tampon, contact a local veterinarian immediately. A small sized plastic toy may be able to pass through safetly. It is always up in the air as to whether your dog will have a foreign body obstruction. Will it pass on through her? The Merck Veterinary Manual states that some dogs develop obsessive behaviors to cope with stress, such as separation-induced anxiety. They can help you understand the best next step to take, whether it's monitoring your dog at home or taking them to an emergency vet for a physical exam. If your dog ate a tampon, it is important to induce vomiting as soon as possible. Then, they engage in that behavior obsessively to calm themselves. Why is he doing this ? You may also find yourself cleaning up dog vomit with plastic in it shortly. While the small plastic piece can be a choking hazard, it likely will pass through your dogs digestive tract. This evening shes afraid to sit or stretch and she puked up a bit of blood, though not too much. This can be done by X-rays, which give an overall picture of your dogs abdomen and may show suspicious patterns in the gut that suggests a blockage. This can also lead to dehydration, constipation, and extreme discomfort to the point of pain. Heres What to Do (Vet Answer), 25 Hilariously Relatable German Shepherd Memes (with Pictures! However, it is still very important to monitor your dogs behavior for some time following this incident. Is it dangerous for my dog to eat a tampon? Hi, was your dog OK? As parents to Labradors and other chew-happy breeds know, some dogs chew and/or eat whatever they can find. A used tampon can also cause digestive distress and obstructions. How long should I give it to pass? Will it come out the other end without a lot of trouble? Unfortunately, many household items are within reach of a bored dog. Small poochs may start to choke trying to swallow a tampon, and you might be lucky enough to be able to pull the string and relieve the problem by extracting the tampon. Buy your dog some of his chew toys a powerful chewer needs these make sure you get indestructible dog toys. Does your dog suffers from a compulsive chewing or eating behavior? Milk jugs, children's toys, water bottles, baby bottles, dog food bowls, bottle caps, candy/food wrappers, food containers, tampon applicators, plastic balls and the list of plastic stuff around the house goes on and on. Tampons with plastic applicators or those in paper are more likely to cause significant blockage in your dogs tummy.