The post My Dog Ate a Tampon: Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps (Vet Answer) by Dr. Samantha Devine DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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Yikes! You just got home and discovered your dog had a party in the bathroom trash can. On closer inspection, your dog might have eaten a tampon. Is it time to panic?
What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Tampon
First, take a deep breath and remove your dog from the āscene of the crimeā so they canāt eat anything else. Donāt panic. Calmly check to see if your dog strews trash everywhere and might have hidden some items or if they might have eaten a tampon.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if it looks like your dog ate a tampon. The vet will likely need to see your dog as soon as possible. They might even need to refer you to a local emergency hospital. The veterinary team will ask if thereās anything else your dog might have eaten, especially because other things the pup ingests could be even more dangerous.
If you need to speak with a vet but canāt get to one, head over to PangoVet. Itās an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet ā all at an affordable price!
What Are the Risks of Your Dog Eating a Tampon?
Why are we worrying if your dog ate a tampon? After all, your furry friend might eat socks, paper, or other crazy things. Well, tampons can expand and cause lots of issues, especially if you have a small dog.
Obstruction
Tampons expand and can easily obstruct your dogās intestines, especially if you have a small dog. An exploratory surgery could be necessary.
Image Credit: GoodFocused, Shutterstock
Gastrointestinal Upset
Any time your dog eats something unusual, you run the risk of GI upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea (and sometimes both). Severe cases can even lead to pancreatitis.
Trauma From the Applicator
If your dog eats a plastic tampon applicator, it can cause trauma to your dogās intestines beyond just a blockage. In addition to scratching the intestinal walls, sharp points on a plastic applicator can lead to intestinal perforation and peritonitis, which could be deadly.
Signs to Monitor for If Your Dog Ate a Tampon
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Signs that your dog ate a tampon are quite variable. You might see your dog vomit or have diarrhea. Your pup might not have an appetite.
Other signs can include:
Whining
Pacing
Aggression
Abdominal distension
Veterinary Diagnostics and Treatment if Your Dog Ate a Tampon
If your dog ate a tampon, your veterinarian will need to know when your dog might have eaten it. This time frame is essential because your vet might need to induce vomiting if it was a recent ingestion. The vet will likely recommend radiographs (X-rays) to check for an obstruction. The vet will sometimes use contrast to check for a blockage or may take serial radiographs (one every several hours) to see if the stomach contents are moving through the gut.
Depending on how sick he is, your dog might need exploratory surgery or hospitalization for several days.
Your veterinarian will usually treat any gastrointestinal distress symptomatically. Your dog might be on anti-nausea medications like Cerenia (maropitant) or probiotics to help with diarrhea. If your dog is dehydrated, they might need fluid therapy.
Preventing Your Dog From Eating a Tampon
Our dogs are clever, so we must thoroughly strive to puppy-proof our houses. To help prevent your puppy from getting into trash cans, keep them in the cabinet or enclosed with a lid. Closing the bathroom door may also be helpful if you have a dog who likes to tip the trash can.
Plenty of mental enrichment can also help keep your dog from getting bored and destructive. Canine puzzle toys come in a range of styles. Snuffle mats are a simple tool to draw out mealtime or occupy your dog with small treats. You can even make them at home if youāre interested in DIY!
Image Credit: Ryan Brix, Shutterstock
Conclusion
If your dog ate a tampon, donāt panic. Contact your veterinarian so that your dog can be evaluated. Often, your veterinarian will need to take radiographs to look for an obstruction, which would likely warrant exploratory surgery.
Featured Image Credit: PeopleImages.com ā Yuri A, Shutterstock
The post My Dog Ate a Tampon: Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps (Vet Answer) by Dr. Samantha Devine DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
