It’s every pet parent’s nightmare. You’re in the middle of a peaceful evening when you hear a loud, crunching noise from your beloved pup.
Upon inspection, you discover that your pup just ingested a tampon.
What do you do? Don’t panic.
This is common, and I’ve got the answers to your questions. Although it may seem alarming,
it’s essential to keep a level head and know that there’s a plan of action.
I’ll cover the signs that your pup has consumed a tampon, its potential risks, and how to handle the situation.
Here are the best way to deal with the situation if your dog ate a tampon.
What are the signs that my dog ate a tampon?
The first sign to look out for is blood on your dog’s fur around his mouth. Although dogs are notorious for eating things off the ground (and sometimes from the toilets), tampons are too far.
When your dog swallows the tampon, it may travel down the digestive tract and come out in the feces.
About two-thirds of swallowed tampons stay stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, according to a study published in the “Veterinary Surgery” journal.
If your vet cannot extract the tampon from the feces, it may be in the stomach, intestines, or rectum.
If the tampon gets stuck higher up in the GI tract, your dog may show pain signs like whining, barking, or panting. He may also have trouble defecating or diarrhea.
What are the potential risks associated with a dog eating a tampon?
There’s a rare risk of infection, and the tampon could be hard to remove if it becomes stuck in the intestines.
If the tampon gets stuck in the stomach or the intestines, the dog will have difficulty digesting food, which can cause malnutrition.
If the tampon is stuck in the rectum, it may cause fecal impaction, which refers to a build-up of solid waste in the rectum.
This can cause a painful condition that requires veterinary attention. The tampon can cause bowel obstruction or a medical emergency in rare cases.
If the tampon is stuck in the intestines, it may cause the intestines to swell and get blocked. This can prevent nutrients and water from being absorbed by the body, leading to malnutrition.
If the tampon is stuck in the rectum, it can cause a build-up of gas, which may lead to a rupture of the intestinal wall.
This is a severe medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention.
What do I do if my dog eats a tampon?
First, you should consult with a vet to rule out an obstruction. If the vet can extract the tampon from the feces, you’ll want to monitor your pup for signs of illness.
If the vet can’t extract the tampon, or if the tampon is stuck in the stomach, intestines, or rectum, your dog may need surgery.
If your dog ingested many tampons, he might get nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If your dog ingested a single tampon, he might show mild discomfort like whining and barking. A dog eating many tampons may have bloat, which refers to a build-up of gas in the stomach.
This can be a severe medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention.
When should I take my dog to the vet?
If your dog ate a tampon ↗ and shows no discomfort, you may want to wait for it to pass in the feces.
If you go to the vet, they may be able to remove it with a particular instrument.
If you wait for the tampon to pass in the feces and it is stuck in the intestines or stomach, your dog may need surgery.
In cases of impaction, your vet may induce vomiting or give your dog an enema. In cases of bowel obstruction, they may have to perform surgery.
What can I expect from the vet visit?
If your dog is still eating and drinking well, you may have to wait for the tampon to pass in the feces. If not, your vet may use an instrument to extract the tampon from the waste.
They may also use an X-ray to see if the tampon is stuck in the stomach or intestines. In cases of impaction,
your vet may induce vomiting or give your dog an enema. In cases of bowel obstruction, they may have to perform surgery.
How to handle the situation after the vet visit?
After your dog recovers from the tampon incident, there are a few things you can do to prevent this from happening again.
You can put your dog on a strict diet to avoid malnutrition, which may be caused by the tampon stuck in the digestive tract.
If your dog ate a tampon because he was bored, you could try limiting his time indoors or getting him a fun puzzle toy to keep his brain active.
If your dog ate a tampon because he was curious, you could try confining him to an area where he can’t access the tampons and other feminine products.
You can also try distracting him with treats or games.
What to do if the tampon isn’t passed in the feces?
If the tampon isn’t passed in the feces, it may have to be removed surgically.
Your vet may have you bring your dog in for a follow-up appointment, or they may suggest bringing your dog in for an outpatient procedure.
Remember that surgery is expensive, and many vets don’t offer it free. There are also online services that provide vet help for a fee.
You can also try reaching out to a veterinary surgeon. If you can’t afford the surgery, you may want to consider bringing your dog to an animal shelter.
Many shelters offer discounted medical procedures, and they may be able to help your dog if they have surgical staff.
FAQS
What to do if the vet can’t help?
Your dog may need surgery if the vet cannot extract the tampon from the feces or if it’s stuck in the stomach, intestines, or rectum.
Surgery is expensive, and not all vets offer it.
If your vet doesn’t help, you may want to consider switching vets or taking your dog to an emergency vet.
You can also try reaching out to a veterinary surgeon.
How can I prevent my dog from eating a tampon?
Be vigilant with your dog’s chewing habits, especially when he’s teething. Keep chew toys and bones out of his reach, and put the trash can out.
Ensure the trash can has a lid so he can’t get in it.
If he’s an outdoor dog, keep him away from any feminine products you may find in public trash cans. Keep the house tidy, and clean up any crumbs on the floor.
