{"id":606,"date":"2023-11-09T08:06:53","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T14:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mybeevet.com\/blog\/?p=606"},"modified":"2024-09-09T08:13:02","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T13:13:02","slug":"so-your-pet-swallowed-a-foreign-object","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mybeevet.com\/blog\/so-your-pet-swallowed-a-foreign-object\/","title":{"rendered":"So Your Pet Swallowed a Foreign Object"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sometimes a pet emergency is easily identified and quickly addressed. But when something is just \u201coff\u201d with a pet\u2019s behavior, it can be downright puzzling to understand why. Owners may eventually acknowledge that a pet ingested something they shouldn\u2019t have. Common ingested foreign bodies in dogs and cats include plastic toys, socks, string, and corks. Emergency veterinary care is vital, but preventing future injury is key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Perfect Storm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You likely inspected your home before your pet came home for the first time and removed any objects deemed hazardous to their health. As pets age and mellow out, it\u2019s normal for our scrutiny to slide a little bit, especially if a pet never shows an interest in eating dangerous things. Unfortunately, all it takes is just one moment for a pet to forget which items are \u201coff-limits\u201d for a disaster to occur. Special opportunity meets unfettered curiosity to create a true pet emergency<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Know<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Foreign bodies ingested by pets can be passed through the intestinal tract without too much fuss. They can also cause a severe obstruction that can only be relieved through surgery. When faced with the possibility that your pet ate something, it\u2019s better to assume they\u2019ll need veterinary care than simply hope that everything comes out okay. Left alone, intestinal obstruction can be fatal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telltale Signs of Obstruction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the absence of witnessing a pet eat something, or any evidence to suggest they ingested an object (such as packaging or chewed parts that were discarded), look for these clinical signs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n