[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/pet-eats-something-weird\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/pet-eats-something-weird\/","headline":"Tasty or Treacherous? What to Do When Your Pet Eats Something Weird","name":"Tasty or Treacherous? What to Do When Your Pet Eats Something Weird","description":"You\u2019ve probably heard the old adage about curiosity and cats, but dogs are equally compelled (if not more so) to gobble up something unfamiliar. Sure, it\u2019s possible that an entire roll of ingested dental floss could come out of your pet\u2019s rear end intact, but it\u2019s far more likely that he or she will endure […]","datePublished":"2016-09-29","dateModified":"2024-11-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/author\/ceastwayadvance360-com\/#Person","name":"chris","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/author\/ceastwayadvance360-com\/","identifier":3,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"West Park Animal Hospital","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/westhospitallogo.png","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/westhospitallogo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Dr.-Emerman.png","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Dr.-Emerman.png","width":100,"height":100},"url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/pet-eats-something-weird\/","about":["Blog","Cat Health","Dog Health"],"wordCount":558,"articleBody":"You\u2019ve probably heard the old adage about curiosity and cats, but dogs are equally compelled (if not more so) to gobble up something unfamiliar. Sure, it\u2019s possible that an entire roll of ingested dental floss could come out of your pet\u2019s rear end intact, but it\u2019s far more likely that he or she will endure a foreign body obstruction. Gastrointestinal blockages can be painful or life-threatening, making surgery the only viable solution. Because it happens regularly, your friends at West Park Animal Hospital are determined to help before your pet eats something weird.A Closer LookMost pets aren\u2019t incredibly discerning when it comes to sampling items. It\u2019s not uncommon for pets to begin toying with an object in play, only to quickly graduate to licking, biting, or chewing. Pica is the term given to the consumption of non-food items (including feces). There are helpful solutions to deter this behavior, but what if you\u2019re not around when your pet eats something weird?Stuck!You may not immediately realize that your pet got into something dangerous, as it can take up to a full day for your pet\u2019s digestive system to work from beginning to end. Items \u201cstuck\u201d in your pet\u2019s GI tract can cause pain and discomfort, but results can also be damaging. Please do not delay in contacting us if you notice any of the following symptoms:Constipation for longer than 24 hoursPain or strain while defecatingLethargyVomitingDiarrheaObvious pain when you touch the abdomenInappetanceVisually upset when you touch or pick up your pet (your pet is normally friendly and relaxed, but suddenly behaves aggressively or defensively)What We DoIf you know \u2013 or suspect \u2013 that your pet has a GI blockage, we will confirm that with digital x-rays. Then we can treat in the following possible ways:Manage your pet\u2019s painHydrate him or her with intravenous fluidsInduce vomiting (if the foreign body is still in the stomach)Perform endoscopic removal (via the mouth or rectum)Surgery (if the blockage has already moved into the intestines)As we mentioned, it\u2019s critical not to hold off and wait for the blockage to come out on its own. Foreign bodies can cut off blood supply throughout the GI tract (including the stomach) and may result in more serious damage or tissue death.Prevention is the KeyAn approach similar to preventing a pet poisoning, the key is truly in limiting your pet\u2019s access to dangerous items. Sure, you might think your pet would never have an interest in your gym socks (or light bulb or rubber ducky) \u2013 until he or she gobbles them down, that is. Toys actually intended for pet use can also be perilous. Choose the right-sized toys for your pet, and ones that won\u2019t break. When not in use, store these items in an area that is off-limits to your pet. When Your Pet Eats Something WeirdLuckily, there are solutions when your pet eats something weird. Remember, time is of the essence; we are here for emergency care every day from 6pm until 1am, and remain happy to answer your questions over the phone.The post Tasty or Treacherous? What to Do When Your Pet Eats Something Weird appeared first on West Park Animal Hospital Blog."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Pet Resources","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Tasty or Treacherous? What to Do When Your Pet Eats Something Weird","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/pet-eats-something-weird\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]