Pet Health By Dr. Johnathan Pierce
Seasons Greetings!
The holidays continue and we want your pet to be as safe as possible so let’s talk about foreign bodies. Last article we discussed common issues that we can see with ingestion of certain foods. Foreign bodies are typically solid inedible and undigestible objects. Some can be passed with little issue in some patients. Others can cause partial or full obstruction (blockage) and need to be dealt with on an emergent basis. We see foreign body ingestion throughout the year, however during the holidays we see more cases due to the number of new toys, decorations, and other such temptations.
Although tinsel has lost popularity as a tree decoration, if used it can be very tempting for both cats and dogs to ingest. Floss, cooking twine, fishing line, ribbons and other such materials are more common string-like materials that are commonly ingested. The issue with all of these is that they can cause linear foreign bodies, which are inherently dangerous. Part of the material can get wadded up and become stuck or lodged while a loose portion can be pulled down into the intestinal tract. As the intestines continue to try to pull the material through serious damage can occur.
Other foreign bodies we commonly see are kids’ toys, hair ties, socks, underwear, super balls, fishing lures, ornaments, palm nuts, grass wads…and the list goes on. These can cause damage by causing a blockage as well as causing pressure damage or lacerating the gastrointestinal tract. There is no end to what some pets might eat and believe it or not some pets have swallowed multiple stuffed animal toys whole, swallowed eating utensils whole and have even swallowed the end of a fishing rod.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the above or is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, straining to defecate, not eating, and/or lethargy seek medical attention from your veterinarian.
Happy Holidays!
Island Life Animal Hospital
Dr. Danielle Gallo
Dr. Johnathan Pierce
5901 Sun Blvd., Suite 107
Saint Petersburg, FL 33715
727-289-3776
islandlifeanimalhospital.vet