Because your dog cannot digest it, he may need surgery. If your dog does manage to chew up even these, replace them immediately, they start falling apart. Used tampons are already expanded to a degree and may cause vomiting due to blockage rather quickly. Just ask anyone who has left last nights takeout or a Tupperware container full of cookies out! How long should I give it to pass? This way, your vet will already know what is going on, should the situation take a turn for the worse. Depending on the type of plastic that your dog ate, the situation may be relatively non-urgent. Luckily, you have ample opportunity to prevent this from happening. But why do so many dogs like to chew up our things? Well talk about the actions you should take based on your dogs symptoms in the next section. Your veterinarian will be able to determine the best course of action and support your pet to either vomit, pass the tampon or perform surgery if necessary. one of my dogs ate half of its plastic food bowel now. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. If your dog ate plastic, check in his mouth to make sure there are no other pieces he could also swallow. Why Does My Dog Sleep with His Eyes Open? If your dog swallowed a plastic object, it would be in his intestines within about two hours. Weve provided a brief and straightforward explanation of what to do if your dog ate a tampon. If your dog eats a tampon, contact a local veterinarian immediately. This should help to stop her from swallowing any smaller pieces that have been torn off. Lidocaine patches are fairly common in households. Here's what to do if your dog eats a tampon. If your dog ate plastic, you may have gone through the traumatic experience of having a large plastic object surgically removed from your dogs digestive tract. Some people use anti-chew spray to try and stop this. You may assist ensure that your pet never ingests tampons again by taking these precautions. We recommend speaking with your vet before you take any type of action. While the small plastic piece can be a choking hazard, it likely will pass through your dogs digestive tract. You might be unaware that the dog has eaten plastic if it was small, you might only observe this in his stool later. While pet parenting has many rewards, it can also be stressfulespecially when your furry friend gets their paws on something they're not supposed to. Two things can happen. However, if multiple tampons were consumed, the danger can be far greater. Will my dog be OK if he ate a tampon? As parents to Labradors and other chew-happy breeds know, some dogs chew and/or eat whatever they can find. It can be very dangerous to make your dog throw up if you dont do it properly. The obstruction can occur anywhere along the GI tract, though its more likely to be in the small intestine as this is the narrowest part of the tract after the stomach. Keep reading to learn some tips for stopping your dog eating plastic and other foreign objects! Can i give her vergin oil to help pass it thru?seems she swallowed it whole. She may need some special training to help relieve the stress that induces the anxious behavior. Can a Dog Take Metronidazole Without Food? Your Assortment. Because of the size and form of a tampon, your pet may be at risk of choking. Learn more. Some dogs will pass a tampon or two without any harm to them. Can you give dogs aspirin? Your emergency actions will differ depending on when your dog ate plastic, what type and size of plastic item your dog has eaten, and how they are acting. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty with urinating or defecating, reluctance to eat, going into a downward dog position often, or an inability to sit, lie down, or walk properly., According to Pawp veterinarian Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond, Tampons are unfortunately a common cause of intestinal blockage in dogs. the size of your pet compared to the tampon, the number eaten, and how your pet is behaving. Or it may turn urgent in a matter of time. What to do if Your Dog is in Pain After Anal Glands Expression? You probably know your dog has a strong stomach, but that doesn't mean he can digest plastic. Will it pass on through her? My dog ate bits of bubble wrap! Tampons are designed to withstand being inside the body for a long time and are usually made of cotton or plastics. Ensure that your dog is still eating and drinking normally because if they become lethargic, it could be that they are in pain. So your dog has found something more creative to eat whats a doggie parent to do now? Hello, my small 1-year-old toy poodle mix was rummaging in the bin (while I wasnt looking) and swallowed half of a biscuit wrapper. Once a blockage has occurred, nothing else can pass through, and the tampon will absorb fluids, dehydrating the lining of the tract in the area of the blockage. This means both tampons and tampon applicators arent able to be digested by the gut. This is major surgery, and there are risks, but the sooner your pet has surgery (if its needed), the faster they can recover from the procedure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. They ate the tampon over 4 hours ago Things get a bit more complicated if your dog ate the tampon longer than 4 hours ago. Training her would definitely help! If you ever see blood in the stool or urine, contact a veterinarian immediately. Your dog's tampon-eating behavior could put it at risk of suffering from health complications. However, its hard to chew-proof every item you own! Just twist to release and push. By Tom Updated: 01/06/22 3 min read Health Digestive System Diarrhea Vomiting Constipation Abdominal pain & swelling Restlessness Lethargy Loss of appetite Breathing difficulty (applicator may be caught in airways) The critical thing to remember is that your dog's digestive system cannot process plastic. This can also lead to dehydration, constipation, and extreme discomfort to the point of pain. He is drinking, walking etc But he ran so quick and chewed..broke one lense but did not go to eat, he is a spitter. Your furbaby has just eaten a tampon, and youre wondering when to call your veterinarian. You can also put them behind a closed medicine cabinet so they are inaccessible to your pets. The Natracare applicator has a rounded tip for easy insertion. Immediately following the incident, call your vet to keep them informed of the situation. We look at the steps you should take if a dog bites your dog. Is plastic wrap passable or do I need to get him checked out? Intestinal blockage can be fatal, so your pet should be treated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. My dog ate a whole bag of crumpets, plastic bag and all. Dangers of a Dog Eating Tampon If your dog ate a tampon, it is important to induce vomiting as soon as possible. As a Chewy affiliate, I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. If the object does not continue to move and/or your dog starts to vomit, then your vet can immediately take him into surgery. What nutrients is he missing ? Is Powerade Safe for Dogs? Unfortunately, surgery might occur if you don't know the size of the plastic the dog swallowed; almost certain if it was a big piece, that will be the next option. So, its not feasible to simply do away with plastic in your home altogether. Remember that if your dog has a blockage, he will likely need surgery. Best wishes, Lucy. He will have to vomit it up very soon after eating it. Well, she ate many paper products, but most concerning was nine tampons and plastic applicators. In other cases, it may cause an intestinal blockage and lead to medical complications such as constipation, low blood circulation, and the inability to eat or drink. Before we delve into the specific ailments that can result from your dog eating a tampon, we must make one final distinction. My Dog Ate a Tampon: How Long Does it Take to Pass? Train your dog to not chew plastic and, to be on the safe side, going for a check-up to the vet would be better. Proper disposal of female hygiene products is critical. They may try to use a Barium swallow until the dog passes the object via defecation. A Guide to Pet-Friendly Retailers (2022), Road Trip! And of course so much of what we buy and use these days is made from plastic, or wrapped in plastic, that plastic is often the easiest thing for a dog to grab hold of. Digestive blockage Digestive blockage can also occur if your dog swallowed a tampon. If your dog consumed sharp pieces of plastic, they are at risk for experiencing cuts to the mouth, internal bleeding, and even a digestive obstruction. Another reason dogs may eat plastic is that its often used to wrap food and that makes it quite tasty to your dog! Sometimes, a dog may be able to pass a tampon with no issues. And are there any ways we can prevent it? This can be done by X-rays, which give an overall picture of your dogs abdomen and may show suspicious patterns in the gut that suggests a blockage. Forget the embarrassment, if your dog eats a tampon, it could be a medical emergency, and you should call your veterinarian for advice. You never want to leave intestinal obstruction untreated. If your dog has eaten plastic packaging, the contents could also be harmful (for example cleaning chemicals, chocolate, and medication) so you should try to find the ingredients list. Even if he has already swallowed some, you want to minimize any further damage. X-rays will also help your vet determine how far along the intestine the tampon has moved and how likely it is for your pet to pass it alone. Take him to the vet for evaluation and x-rays to determine what is causing his symptoms as soon as possible. Best natural cotton tampons with plastic applicator Veeda 100% Natural Cotton Compact BPA-Free Applicator Tampons 4.3 stars, 318 reviews $9 for 16 Though these tampons are not organic,. Bowel obstructions will typically cause vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, and diarrhea within 24 to 72 hours of eating the object. The good news is that after a dog eating plastic, it will pass without a problem most of the time. if not, then you should go to a vet where they can give an injection of Apomorphine to make him vomit. Because tampons are inedible, they pose much more of a threat than something like your dog eating food from the trash or a bag of chips (although there are people foods that can be toxic to dogs, too). Required fields are marked *. My handle to a plastic 14qt bucket for water is completely gone!! You may pay $7,000 or more for more complicated situations or in high cost-of-living areas. So watch out for any signs of your dog having digestive upsets or unusual bathroom habits by his refusing to eat or drink or he is suffering from diarrhea or constipation are signs that a trip is necessary to the vet. Then, they engage in that behavior obsessively to calm themselves. If you notice that your dog is not eating, drinking water, urinating, or defecating, or you notice that it is unable to sit, lay down, or walk properly, seek veterinary medical advice immediately. If your dog ate tampons, it is important to seek professional veterinary advice from your local clinic at the earliest possible stage to give your dog, your veterinarian, and your wallet the best chance of a good outcome! The vet might even use a barium swallow so that the dog can pass the pieces of plastic via defecating. This is why its essential that you get your dog seen as soon as you suspect a problemthe more damaged the gut is, the more complex the surgerywhich means itll carry higher risks. This means that sometimes interpreting these images is not straightforward, especially in the early stages of an obstruction. If your dog is able to produce the tampon through vomiting, this is likely the only treatment they will need. Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? Is it dangerous for my dog to eat a tampon? This ensures that even if your dog does get into the trash, they have a decreased probability of getting into a zippered plastic bag as well. An unused tampon inside a plastic or cardboard . To keep your dog away from eating used tampons, spray the tampons or garbage receptacle with unpleasant substances like an anti-chew spray. Are you planning on a new journey to become a pet sitter? Stop The Chew The expertly engineered formula uses no alcohol and is safe for use on chew targets including furniture, clothing, shoes, flooring, blinds, plants and more. Contents of the Digestive Tract Whether your dog found a tampon in the garbage or snatched one from your bag, learning that your dog ate one can be a terrifying event. So after this point, you can start to wonder what the remaining plastic in his body is doing. It possesses Coughing is our body's natural way of responding to the presence of any irritants or abnormalities existing in our airways. You dont want a tampon in your dogs body, whether its used or not. References: ncraoa.com , www.superbdog.com , mypetchild.com , pawp.com. In some very lucky dogs, the tampon may be vomited back up again immediately, or be passed through the gut successfully and exit at the other end (after about two to five days), but there is always a risk of complications developing. The veterinary injection is safe and reliable, so it is the best option and you can get the right professional veterinary advice at the same time. Or maybe you prefer the Q&A format to absorb the above information. Theyll then cut over the tampon, pull it out, and sow the gut back up again. You may not notice that your dog swallowed plastic of some sort until you see the object in his poo. Dogs are extremely sensitive to their pet owners emotions and can easily become upset. Tampons are notorious for causing obstructions in dogs. From your furniture, to precious ornaments and bits of paperwork. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). An ingested plastic object that cannot be passed smoothly has the potential to cause any of the following health hazards in a dog. My Doberman ate the plastic that lays under raw chicken. Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS (Vet). My golden ate the whole sandwich with the zip lock bag together from my colleague last night. What should I do if my dog has consumed a tampon? Do I need to give him food so the plastic can hopefully pass through? Expect to pay at least $800. But, a dog ingesting a foreign object is definitely not a laughing matter! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); FluentWoof is a community driven website, we may receive commissions when you click on our links and make purchases. A recent analysis by Greenpeace Laboratories has revealed the extent of this greenwashing in the tampon industry. Why would a dog eat a tampon? Although small pieces are sometimes able to pass through without harm, large or sharp pieces can cause bad problems like choking, pain and issues passing waste or peeing. If your dog swallows any plastic objects, he has to excrete them. Was diving and retrieving it in the pool, and decided to swallow it. Not all dogs will require veterinarian care after swallowing a used tampon. Sometimes though, dogs might chew something they are not supposed to or pick up something you didn't see them pick up. An unused tampon still inside of a plastic or cardboard applicator could lead to cuts and damage to the digestive tract. It is always easier to prevent an occurrence than to deal with it after the fact. Tampons can be dangerous, though, because they're made to absorb fluid. Tampons and some other foreign objects do not show up on X-rays. Take notes so you can give the vet as much information as possible. Updated February 17, 2023 Published December 08, 2021. If your dog ate a tampon, youll want to do everything in your power to avoid a repeat experience and subsequently, a repeat vet bill. This is because a blockage in the gut can cut off the blood supply to specific organs within a matter of hours. What Should I Do? Best of luck! The biggest risk of your dog ingesting a tampon is that it either tears or cuts internal tissues or forms a blockage in the digestive system. Many tampon applicators are made from petroleum-based plastic or plant-based plastics. Dont worry though! Symptoms and Vet Care. If you find out that your dog has swallowed a tampon, always approach the situation with the utmost seriousness and concern. Your dog may pass plastic, but that is not always the case. Otherwise, it will sit in his intestines and cause a perforation or blockage. Larger pieces are more likely to cause blockages. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.