My Dog Ate Plastic: What Should I Do? (Vet Answer)

It‘s a scary moment when you realize your dog has eaten something they shouldn‘t have – like plastic. Whether it‘s a plastic bag, packaging, or a toy, ingesting plastic can pose some serious health risks for your pooch. As a dog owner, it‘s important to know what to do in this situation to keep your furry friend safe.

In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about what to do if your dog eats plastic – from assessing the situation to potential treatments and prevention tips. Let‘s dive in.

Why is Plastic Dangerous For Dogs to Ingest?

Plastic is not digestible, meaning it can‘t be broken down by your dog‘s digestive system. This poses several risks and hazards:

Intestinal Obstruction: Plastic can cause a blockage anywhere along the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the intestines. This is the biggest risk, as a complete obstruction can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Partial blockages can still cause pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Choking: Depending on the size and shape of the plastic, it could get stuck in your dog‘s throat and cause choking. Plastic bags are particularly dangerous as they can conform to the shape of the airway.

Perforation: Sharp pieces of hard plastic can potentially puncture or cut the delicate tissues of the digestive tract. This can allow bacteria to leak into the abdomen and cause a serious infection called peritonitis.

Toxicity: If the plastic object had chemicals, medication, or spoiled food residue on it, that could poison your dog in addition to the risks from the plastic itself. Some plastic also contains toxic chemicals that can leach out during digestion.

The severity depends on factors like the amount and type of plastic eaten, as well as your dog‘s size. But in any case, a dog eating plastic is cause for concern and swift action on your part.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Plastic? Assessing the Situation

The first steps are to stay calm and quickly assess the situation with your dog. Here‘s what to do:

1. Remove any remaining plastic pieces or objects from your dog‘s reach so they can‘t ingest more.

2. Try to identify what kind of plastic it was and estimate how much they ate. Check for any missing packaging, toys, or household items. See if the plastic had any food, medicine or chemicals in it. This information will be important for the vet.

3. Check your dog over from head to tail. See if there are any pieces of plastic stuck in their mouth or throat. Look for any difficulty breathing, choking, or excessive drooling which could indicate an airway obstruction. Note any lethargy, vomiting, gagging or signs of abdominal pain.

4. Don‘t attempt to induce vomiting on your own, as the plastic could get stuck and cause choking on the way back up. Only do this if instructed by your veterinarian.

5. Call your vet, a local emergency animal hospital, or a pet poison helpline and be ready to describe the plastic ingested, the amount, and your dog‘s condition. Follow their instructions from there. Time can be of the essence to fix problems before they progress too far.

If you‘re unsure if they ate plastic or just suspect it, it‘s best to err on the side of caution and call the vet for advice. Even if they only ate a small piece, it‘s better to get professional guidance to be safe. Let‘s look more at signs that indicate you need veterinary help.

When to Call The Vet or Emergency Animal Hospital

If you know your dog ingested plastic, always contact your vet for advice right away, no matter how small the piece. Describe the plastic and amount ingested so they can advise you if an immediate trip to the clinic is needed or if you can monitor at home. But sometimes you only suspect they ate something, so here are signs it‘s an emergency:

• Choking, gagging, coughing, or difficulty breathing
• Excessive drooling or pawing at the mouth
• Repeated vomiting or regurgitation
• Lack of appetite for 24 hours or more
• Lethargy, weakness or collapsing
• Abdominal pain, swelling or tenderness
• Straining or inability to defecate
• Diarrhea, especially with blood

Don‘t "wait and see" if you notice these symptoms. Blockages can progress rapidly and plastic toxicity can worsen, so rather be overly cautious. It‘s critical to get prompt treatment before it becomes a more serious and harder-to-treat problem. Even if it‘s after hours, contact an emergency vet – this constitutes an emergency.

What Will The Vet Recommend? Potential Treatments

The vet‘s recommended treatment plan will depend on what your dog ate, how long ago, and if there are any symptoms or visible blockage yet. Here are some potential procedures or treatments they may advise:

• Inducing vomiting, if the ingestion was very recent and the plastic piece was small and smooth. This should only be done by the vet to avoid choking or aspiration risks.

• X-rays or ultrasounds to visualize if and where there is a blockage along the digestive tract. They may use barium to help outline the digestive tract on the images.

• Endoscopy: Using a thin tube with a light and camera to view inside the stomach and upper intestines. Small pieces may be retrievable this way without major surgery.

• IV fluids to prevent dehydration or flush any toxins, if indicated.

• Antidotes or treatments, if the dog ingested any toxic chemicals along with the plastic.

• Pain relief and anti-nausea medications for symptomatic treatment.

• Antibiotics, if there are any signs of perforation and infection setting in.

• Surgical removal, for larger blockages that won‘t pass and can‘t be retrieved with endoscopy. Emergency surgery is needed for complete obstructions.

Often it starts with diagnostic imaging and then escalates to more intensive treatments if a blockage is confirmed. Be prepared that blockage surgery can be costly, but it‘s often the only way to remove plastic foreign bodies that get stuck.

How Are Intestinal Blockages Treated or Removed in Dogs?

If the plastic is stuck and confirmed not to be passing through, surgery is typically the only way to remove it. Here‘s a general overview of how that goes:

The dog is put under general anesthesia. The vet surgeon makes an incision into the abdomen to access the digestive tract. They locate the obstruction and make a small cut in the intestines to remove it. They then check for any ruptures or dead tissue that need repair.

The intestine is stitched back together and the abdominal incision is closed. The plastic pieces removed are kept for identification to confirm the source. Dogs are monitored closely as they recover from anesthesia.

Post-surgery, dogs are typically hospitalized for a few days. They‘ll receive IV fluids, pain medications and antibiotics to prevent infection. A bland, easy-to-digest diet is fed. Activity is restricted for a week or two to allow healing.

If caught early, most dogs recover well after foreign body removal surgery. Complications are possible if the blockage had been there a long time or if peritonitis had set in. The sooner the plastic is removed, the better the prognosis.

How Long Does it Take for Plastic to Pass Through a Dog‘s System?

In uncomplicated cases, small plastic pieces may pass in the stool in 24-48 hours. However, larger or sharper plastic may take longer to pass or may not pass at all if it gets stuck.

It generally takes ingesta 8-12 hours to move through the entire digestive tract. If it‘s been over 48-72 hours and you haven‘t seen the plastic come out in the stool, or your dog has symptoms, see the vet to check for a potential blockage.

Keep in mind that certain kinds of plastic, like bags, can compact into a wad and cause problems even in larger dogs. So plastic not passing isn‘t always determined by the dog‘s size relative to the plastic piece. When in doubt, always consult your vet.

Tips To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Plastic

Of course, prevention is the best medicine. Here are some tips to reduce the chances of your pooch ingesting plastic again:

• Keep plastic bags, packaging, and small plastic items out of reach. Store them in closed cabinets or high shelves.
• Use a lidded trash can that your dog can‘t knock over or get into.
• Supervise your dog around children‘s plastic toys and teach kids to put them away.
• Be mindful of plastic pieces that could fall on the floor during unwrapping gifts or packages.
• Avoid using plastic bags as poop bags on walks – use biodegradable ones instead.
• Put your dog in another room while you‘re using plastic items like wrap or tape.
• Ensure your dog has plenty of safe chew toys as alternatives.
• Work on training your dog to "leave it" or "drop it" if they do grab plastic items.

Being proactive can go a long way in keeping your pup safe from plastic ingestion dangers. It‘s impossible to remove all plastic from the home environment, but mindfulness and training can reduce the risks significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my dog ate plastic wrap or a plastic bag?
Plastic wrap, bags, and soft plastics are particularly dangerous because they can conform to the shape of the digestive tract and cause a complete obstruction or choking more easily than hard plastic. Definitely call your vet right away if you suspect this type of ingestion.

How can I tell if my dog has a bowel obstruction?
Symptoms of a bowel obstruction often include repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, diarrhea, and abdominal pain or swelling. Unproductive straining to defecate can also be a sign. If you see any of these, contact your vet immediately.

How much does surgery cost to remove an intestinal blockage?
The cost depends on the specific clinic and the complexity of the case, but can range from $1500-$5000 including pre and post-op care. Caught early, the price is on the lower end. Pet insurance can greatly offset these unexpected costs.

Will my dog pass the plastic eventually on its own?
It depends on the size and type. Very small, flexible pieces have a higher chance of passing uneventfully, especially in larger dog breeds. But it‘s impossible to predict with certainty, so always notify your vet for case-by-case advice. Never assume it will pass on its own.

How long does it take a dog to recover from intestinal surgery?
Most dogs stay in the hospital for 2-5 days post-surgery for monitoring. Full recovery takes about 2-4 weeks. Dogs need to be kept calm with restricted activity during this time to allow the incisions to heal. Follow your vet‘s instructions for at-home care.

Conclusion

Discovering your dog ate plastic can induce panic, but by staying calm and knowing the steps to take, you can help your furry friend get the care they need. Quick action and contacting your vet is key to preventing a potentially life-threatening obstruction or perforation. Never wait to see if plastic will pass on its own.

While surgery for a blockage is scary and expensive, it‘s often a highly successful life-saving procedure when done promptly. Focus on prevention and dog-proofing your space as much as possible to reduce the chances of plastic ingestion in the first place.

We hope this guide has armed you with the knowledge to know what to do if you‘re ever in this frightening situation with your pooch. Remember, when in doubt, always call your trusted veterinarian for advice. Wishing you and your canine companion many happy, healthy, plastic-free years ahead!