Mary Allen
Your dog swallowed a small piece of plastic or ate part of the chew toy?
Don’t worry for now! In most cases, your dog will pass the foreign body through the stool and remain completely unharmed.
Sometimes such foreign bodies can also lead to an intestinal obstruction in the dog. That would not be so good and can sometimes be really dangerous for your animal.
Now let’s talk about how you can tell if a vet visit is necessary or if you can help your dog yourself.
In a nutshell: How long does it take for my dog to excrete a foreign body?
It usually takes between 24 and 48 hours, or even a day or two, for your dog to excrete a foreign body.
It’s been 24 hours and your dog…
- Shows little or no defecation?
- shows feces pressing?
- vomits his food?
- vomits feces?
- has a bloated, tender stomach?
- has a fever?
- is extremely beaten?
Then off to the vet right away! These symptoms speak very clearly for an intestinal obstruction.
Are you not sure if you are interpreting your dog’s behavior correctly?
Foreign bodies in the dog’s stomach – the symptoms
If your dog swallowed even a small piece of his toy, chances are you won’t even notice.
Small foreign objects that are not sharp-edged or otherwise dangerous are swallowed more frequently and passed later with the next bowel movement.
If the foreign bodies are larger, sharp-edged or, in the worst case, poisonous, your dog will:
- Vomit. You may already see blood or other damage done by a sharp object.
- Eat no more.
- No more defecating.
- Have a stomachache.
Once you see blood in your dog’s vomit, don’t waste any more time. Grab your dog now and drive to the vet! In these moments there is an absolute danger to life for your animal!
How does an intestinal obstruction in dogs become noticeable?
The symptoms of an intestinal obstruction are always the same.
The dog does not defecate, it vomits, it is knocked off.
However, an intestinal obstruction does not always have to be caused by a foreign body. In some cases, the function of the intestines can also come to a standstill, which then ensures that faeces can no longer be transported.
That’s why you should always have an intestinal obstruction checked by a veterinarian. This is the only way you can be sure that your dog will soon be fine again.
When do I have to take my dog to the vet?
If your dog for 24 hours:
- little or no defecation.
- no longer eats.
- has a stomach ache and a tight stomach.
- vomits repeatedly.
You should go to the vet.
Stomach surgery costs for a foreign body
The truth is: animals are really expensive. Especially when an operation is imminent. Gastric surgery on a dog can cost between €800 and €2,000.
This does not include the stay, subsequent care, and the necessary medication!
Pet insurance is usually a good choice because it can cover a large part of these costs.
If you add up all eventualities, a balloon that has been eaten can cost up to 4,000 euros.
Common foreign bodies in the dog stomach
Most puppies will happily chomp down on some paper, and possibly some scraps of cardboard or wood.
When playing with a fabric toy, dogs rarely swallow stuffing or even a small button.
In worse cases, your dog may eat bait spiked with nails or blades.
Here is a list of the most common things dogs ingest:
- socks
- material
- hair ties
- plastic
- stones
- chew toy
- chestnuts
- acorns
- Bone
- balls
- sticks
- ropes and threads
- scraps of cardboard or wood
- stuffed toys and buttons
- Bait with nails or blades
What can I do for my dog now?
Once a foreign object is in your dog, there isn’t much you can do for your dog other than wait it out or take him to the vet.
Make sure your dog doesn’t have to be left alone and make water available for him.
Conclusion
Dogs are more likely to swallow an object, which they then eventually excrete.
Monitor your dog and respond with a vet visit if necessary. If the symptoms are not very clear, you can save yourself the trip to the vet.