Intestinal Foreign Body: A sock is missing

Like any other pet owner, I recently had that morning episode where there is vomit and bowel movements all over the laundry room with no apparent cause. Trying to get ready for work, I quickly reflected on the prior 24 hours (any new foods, trash cans, stuff missing, exposure to other dogs). Hoping to ignore the obvious, I walked my dog, Taco Belle, outdoors and noted the bodily functions to confirm the evidence noted back in the house. So what is a pet owner to do? Should you go to work, drop the pet off at a veterinary office, or simply offer supportive care until a recheck at lunch time? 

Well, since I own the business and I am a veterinarian (Yes, my friends say Taco Belle is lucky to have her own personal doctor), she went to work with me. Fortunately, after a battery of tests including radiographs, Taco Belle recovered after 36 hours of supportive care. 

Realistically, that is not the same for my clients. Thus an overview of steps follows. 

What are some basic principles for a pet with an upset stomach?

Search the house and see if any trash cans are invaded (bones, grease), cabinets open to poisons, yard/rat bait exposure, anything shredded (fabric, thread, balls) and laundry (socks, hand towels, and underwear L missing). If something is of a concern, call the Creature Comforts office for further instructions. I once had a dog eat approximately one pound of pea gravel where grease from a grill had been discarded so search well! 

If nothing is noted, take up food, give some ice cubes, and monitor for frequency of diarrhea/vomiting or both. If having three or more of each in a four to six hour period, call for additional instructions. If no vomiting for three hours, give a trial of Pepto-Bismol liquid (87mg/ tsp) at ½ to 1 tsp ( 2 to 5 mls per 10lbs) twice  a day for 3 days. If using the tablets, that would be around ¼ of the 262 mg tablets per 10 lbs. of body weight. 

Is there a home diet to fix?

Typically some poultry broth ( assuming no food allergy) may be provided after three to four hours, followed by one part of a meat to two parts of a starch (such as potato) at a rate of 1 cup per 10 lbs. a day. 

At Creature Comforts, what are some of the more common GI emergencies?

Continuous vomiting, lack of appetite, and diarrhea (often bloody) lasting over four to six hours are frequent client concerns. In addition, suspicious exposure to a toxin (chocolate, yard treatments) and a possible foreign body are the most common emergencies.  In large, deep-chested dogs such as Great Danes, twisting of the stomach (Gastric dilatation and volvulus) is a life threatening emergency. 

What is a linear foreign body/ obstructions?

It is a blockage created by eating thread or dental floss (very common in cats) and in dogs more commonly a sock/knee highs or a strip of towel, fabric, or carpeting. Most of these do not completely block the intestines. Rather they gather (fixed at one point) and pleat the intestine (think the shape of an accordion) causing a partial to complete obstruction. IN ADDITION, the object cuts into the wall of the intestine leading in many cases to a life-threatening perforation of the bowel.  Although vomiting is seen in many patients with linear foreign bodies, often the pets exhibit only anorexia or depression (depending on where the object is lodged). Radiographs, ultrasound, and ultimately surgery is needed in such circumstances as the object if often too far down into the bowels of the intestine to induce vomiting. 

Once things settle down, what do you use to clean carpeting?

I blot up the excess, throw away as much of the solid material as possible, and then use Nature’s Miracle available at most major pet retailers.

This is a picture of my son Jason when he was 3 years old and then today in Hong Kong.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP, canine and feline

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC