foreign body

Gastrointestinal Obstructions In Dogs: What Every Owner Needs To Know

Gastrointestinal obstructions in dogs can be located anywhere along the digestive tract from the stomach to the colon. They occur when the natural flow of ingested materials becomes stopped up, making it difficult for the dog to pass stool or gas. Bowel obstructions are fairly common in dogs due to their habit of ingesting non-food items. Who is at risk for a gastrointestinal obstruction? While any dog can potentially suffer from a gastrointestinal obstruction, puppies are especially susceptible as they … Read more

Vet Discovers 19 Pacifiers In Bulldog’s Stomach

It’s not uncommon for the family dog to feel jealous when a new baby invades their turf. But a Massachusetts pooch named Mortimer took his baby blues to a whole new level. Mort’s humans brought him to the vet after the 3-year-old pooch began vomiting and refusing meals. An X-ray revealed the source of his tummy troubles: 19 baby pacifiers! Luckily for Mortimer, Dr. Doug Brum at Angell Animal Medical Center was able to remove the pacifiers using an endoscope … Read more

5 Dangerous Dog Habits & How To Fix Them

The other day, my neighbor’s dog darted out the front door and chased a young boy on a bike. She ended up biting the child’s foot, fracturing two of his toes. The dog now faces a mandatory 10-day Rabies quarantine and possible euthanasia. Sadly, the whole situation could have been avoided if her owners had provided the intervention, correction, and training to break her dangerous habits. As much as we love our dogs, there is no such thing as a “perfect” … Read more

9 Reasons Your Dog May Be Vomiting

Dogs vomit for a number of reasons; some are relatively insignificant, while others can be quite serious. If your dog’s vomiting is more than just an isolated incident, seek veterinary attention to rule out a critical health concern. Note: Since vomiting is such a broad issue with many possible causes, this post contains several links you can follow if you would like to learn more about a particular issue or condition. 1. Diet Related Issues Vomiting often results when a … Read more

Why Do Dogs Love To Steal Your Dirty Laundry?

Have you ever noticed that your pup prefers to nap on your discarded sweater rather than his own dog bed? Does he enjoy romping with one of your dirty socks more than an expensive toy? There are several reasons why dogs enjoy playing and snuggling with our personal effects. While it may not seem like a major problem, keep in mind that pups who ingest clothing could be at risk for serious, life-threatening illnesses. Socks, underwear, and pantyhose are among … Read more

Dog Takes “Smug” Photo After Swallowing Costly Ball

Sometimes dogs do silly things. Swallowing undigestible items may be the worst of them. Here is a list of objects I have personally witnessed removed from the stomach and intestines of mischievous dogs: socks, underwear, sticks, leaves, wads of hair, tampons, panty hose, action figures, rubber snakes, paper towels, diamond earrings, a watch, carpeting, and of course, lots of balls. One very patient and good-humored dog parent recently shared their own doggy foreign-body nightmare via Reddit. Rather than a long, … Read more

If Your Dog Swallows Any Of These 7 Common Household Items, Head To The Vet

Black pug covered in toilet paper and carrying a toilet paper roll

Dogs “see” the world through their noses, and taste is closely tied into their sense of smell. Some veterinarians and animal behaviorists feel that this may be why pups eat items that are most certainly not food. Whether they swallow a dangerous substance out of curiosity, excitement or just by accident, seeking veterinary help quickly can make all the difference. Here are some common materials pups have been known to eat that definitely warrant a visit to the vet. 1. … Read more