Dogs are habitual in eating anything they see and it is all because of their extremely curious nature. Your dog out of curiosity may eat anything without knowing the danger. This situation is the worst nightmare for any paw parent as it is not possible to keep an eye on your dog 24/7, at this time you may look for signs dog has something stuck in stomach.
Through our blog, we will try to provide you with all the required information. We through our research will try to mention all the signs and symptoms that indicate that something is stuck in your dog’s stomach.
Signs Dog Has Something Stuck in Stomach
Here are the signs dog has something stuck in its stomach[1]:
Vomiting/Retching
If your dog has something stuck in their stomach then the first thing they do is vomit. If your dog is vomiting repeatedly or is trying to vomit then you need to consult a vet. Vomiting is one of the main indications of the object being stuck in a dog’s stomach.
Loss of appetite
A dog who has an object stuck in their stomach will not eat and will display signs of loss of appetite. The object stuck in the stomach will make them feel nauseous and vomiting which makes them lose interest in eating.
Abdominal pain
Observe your dog closely and if you notice them whining, or whimpering in pain then it can be due to abdominal pain. The object stuck in a dog’s stomach can make them whin in pain due to friction with the stomach’s inner lining. The object not only hurts the dog’s stomach but also can cause damage to other organs.
Lethargy
The object stuck in a dog’s stomach can make them lethargic and depressed. The irritation and frustration of not being able to pass the stool makes them tired. Apart from this the constant vomiting and the loss of appetite make the dog weak and disinterested in all the things. This condition of the dog leads to them being lethargic.
Constipation
The area of blockage or where the object is stuck matters a lot too. If the blockage is complete then the dog might be suffering from the problem of constipation. But at the same time if the object is stuck partially then you may notice your dog suffering from a constant diarrhoea-like situation altogether.
If you notice any of the above signs in your dog then it might be due to the blockage. This situation of the blockage needs an early vet examination, or it may harm your dog more adversely.
What To Do if the Dog Has Something Stuck in Stomach
If your dog has something stuck in its stomach then here’s what you can do to help them:
- If your dog has an object stuck in the stomach then do not try to induce vomiting. Trying to induce vomiting to remove the object will only make the situation worse. Trying this stunt without vet guidance can make your dog more injured and cause them internal harm too.
- Do not provide your dog with food and water, starve them for it. Doing this will reduce their chances of vomiting.
- Upon suspecting that your dog has something stuck in their stomach look for the symptoms and consult a vet immediately. A vet might be able to help you deal with your dog very well.
As mentioned in petmd by Veronica Higgs, DVM, "If your dog is showing symptoms of an intestinal blockage, it is likely too late to induce vomiting. In this case, your veterinarian will start with a good physical examination, palpating (touching) the abdomen to check for pain or evidence of masses, foreign bodies, or intussusception. Sometimes your vet will be able to feel the actual obstruction, but often they won’t. Most likely they will perform an abdominal x-ray for further evaluation."
When Should You Seek Veterinary Help
Here’s when you can seek the vet’s help:
- Frequent and repeated vomiting.
- Dog whinging, changing position and being restless.
- Dog resisting from touching the abdomen.
- The dog feeling lethargic and depressed.
- Constant diarrhoea in dogs.
- Excessive dehydration.
- Loss of appetite.
- Dogs get a hard time while pooping and serve constipation.
How Can You Prevent Future Obstructions in Your Dog
Here are the ways to prevent future obstruction in your dog and safeguard them:
- Small objects, toys, clothes, or choking hazardous food items must be kept away from the reach of your dog.
- Make sure the trash can at your home has a secure tight lid so that your dog might not be able to open it.
- While providing your dog with chew toys make sure they do not chew the toy too small. This will lead to the object getting stuck in the dog’s stomach or even choking in them.
- If you take your dog to the park or for walking, keep them on a leash. This will prevent them from eating anything from the ground.
- Do not give your dog the cooked bones as they have splinters and that can result in obstruction in your dog.
- If you are feeding your dog treats then make sure you break them into small pieces. If the dog swallows the large chunk then it can result in blockage in them.
- If your dog is habitual to lick the surrounding and eat the objects on the way then you can use the basket muzzle for them. This basket muzzle prevents the dog from eating the objects and allows them to drink the water.
FAQs
Signs dog has something stuck in stomach
If your dog has something stuck in its stomach then you have to look for the signs. Signs like vomiting, weakness, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and dehydration are common in dogs with something stuck in their stomach. Along with these signs you might even observe bloating, pain in the abdomen, restlessness and whining in the dog. If you notice any of the above signs then consult a vet immediately.
How long can something be stuck in a dog’s stomach?
A foreign object in a dog’s stomach might stay there for a variety of lengths of time. It may take hours or days, according to the object’s size and nature. Foods pass through the digestive system in 10 to 24 hours on average. But if they don’t create a blockage, certain items could remain for weeks or even months. The symptoms may take a few days to manifest if there is only a partial blockage.
Will a dog still poop if they have a blockage?
Stools can still flow through a dog with a blockage, but they may do so regularly and may point to a partial obstruction. Some materials may be able to flow through the obstruction, allowing the dog to pass less stool or diarrhoea. The dog may have signs like straining without peeing if the obstruction is extensive, which might result in no stool passing at all.
What to do if my dog has something stuck in his stomach?
If you think that something is stuck in your dog’s stomach then the first thing you should do is not try to induce vomiting. Avoid giving your dog food and water as it will make the situation worse, instead call a vet. Do not try to remove the object on your own let the vet do the needful work.
Can grass cause a blockage in dogs?
Yes, particularly if they eat a lot of it, dogs may get blocked up by grass. grass by itself is generally safe, however, because of its high fibre content, consuming a lot of grass might cause gastrointestinal blockage. This may slow down the digestive tract’s movement and result in constipation or, in more extreme situations, an intestinal blockage that could need to be medically cleared.
Conclusion
We hope through our blog, “Signs dog has something stuck in stomach” we have made you well aware. Dogs do not understand what is good for them and what is not, this is why it is the responsibility of the paw parents to take care of their fur baby.
If you suspect that your fur baby has consumed something that might lead to obstruction then look for the above-mentioned symptoms. You can also follow the precautionary measures suggested to prevent future problems. Nevertheless, you must always consult a vet and seek medical guidance if the concern is related to your dog’s health.
Reference:
- Staff, A. (2024, March 14). Bowel obstruction in dogs: symptoms, treatment, and prevention. American Kennel Club.
