Most dogs have a favorite type of toy, and it’s usually one that squeaks. This type of toy is typically either plush or plastic and includes a device that makes a high-pitched noise when squeezed. While sometimes irritating, these noises tend to become background music in your home. However, it can be a big problem if your dog manages to remove and eat the toy’s squeaker. If your pup swallows a squeaker, remain calm and contact your vet immediately, as this can be a life-threatening situation.
What to Do If Your Dog Swallows a Squeaker
Whether you happen to witness the event firsthand or come home to a chewed-up plushie minus its noisemaker, it’s time to take action quickly.
1. Keep Calm
Your gut reaction may be to panic, but you’ve got to stay calm. Even though the adrenaline may be coursing through your body, don’t let your stress be known, especially to your dog. Remove them from the situation so they can’t eat anything else, and get on the phone.
2. Call Your Veterinarian
With a close eye on your dog, call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic. Explain what happened, how big your dog is, and whether they are showing any signs of distress or discomfort.
3. Follow the Veterinarian’s Instructions
Most vets will want to see your dog even if they’re acting normally. Get your pet to the clinic straightaway, preferably with your or someone else monitoring them on the drive for signs of breathing difficulty or stomach pain. Don’t feed your dog anything or induce vomiting unless instructed by your vet.
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Can a Dog Digest a Squeaker?
Squeaky toys are made of plastic, something that your dog’s digestive system isn’t equipped to handle, but that’s not the only trouble that a dog’s body may have when they consume a squeaker.
Choking
Some squeakers may seem small, but when one is swallowed whole, it can actually be a significant burden for your dog’s throat to handle, potentially becoming lodged in there. When something gets stuck in the esophagus, your dog will cough, gag, and otherwise have difficulty getting the air that they need to survive. Choking is an emergency situation that necessitates immediate care.
Intestinal Blockage
The noisemaker from a dog toy can’t be broken down, not even by canine stomach acid. Instead, it will journey through your dog’s digestive tract along with the other ingesta. This may be a problem when it encounters the tight twists and turns of the intestines. Depending on your dog’s size, a squeaker can become lodged in the intestines, backing up the normal progression of ingesta as it tries to make its way out of the body. Intestinal blockages can quickly become a big deal, so immediate veterinary attention is needed.
Perforation
While a squeaker in its original version is unlikely to puncture anything, a squeaker that has been chewed can. Sharp edges can rip or tear the digestive tract, potentially releasing bacteria and juices where they shouldn’t be in the abdomen, which can cause the dog to become severely ill. Perforations need to be treated immediately.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Swallowed a Squeaker?
Pups can be rather sneaky, and unless you catch your pet in the act, you may not know right away that they have eaten anything abnormal.
If your dog swallows a part of their toy without you witnessing it, you may only come across remnants of it and struggle to locate the voice box. Therefore, the first sign that your dog has ingested the squeaker may manifest in unusual behaviors such as difficulty breathing, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or constipation. If any of these symptoms are present, it is essential to seek veterinary attention, especially if you find shredded toy pieces alongside these signs.
When a dog swallows a squeaker, the vet’s approach will aim to remove it with minimal harm. For larger dogs without discomfort, monitoring their stool for a day or two may suffice until the squeaker passes. However, small dogs or those experiencing issues may require alternative methods such as ultrasound to locate the squeaker, endoscopy for removal, induced vomiting under supervision, or surgical intervention if the squeaker remains trapped in the intestines. In cases of choking, the vet may administer the Heimlich maneuver if necessary.
To prevent such incidents, consider offering your dog safer toy alternatives like rope toys, high-quality rubber toys, or plush items without squeakers. Supervision during playtime is crucial, and never leave a destructive dog unsupervised with a toy.
In conclusion, while squeaker toys provide entertainment, there is a risk of ingestion. If your dog swallows a squeaker, contact your vet promptly for guidance on the next steps. A visit to the veterinary hospital is likely necessary, and having someone accompany you can help monitor your dog’s condition. After recovery, opt for squeaker-free toys to avoid future incidents. sentence to make it more concise:
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