However, its hard to chew-proof every item you own! Make it a habit to close your bathroom door, which is where your pet most likely gained access to the tampon in the first place. The last time I check the shelves here in the US (last summer - tampons are only good for swimming, imho, and I don't swim that often) you couldn't get a bio-degradable plastic applicator, though . I called and got him right in. Whether your dog can pass the plastic depends on how much plastic he ate as well as the size of the plastic items. Edele is currently working in clinical practice while studying towards Advanced Practitioner status with the RCVS in the UK. Tampons and anything else your pet eats that isnt part of a healthy, regular diet could be deadly. Your DVM may be able to induce vomiting if your pup ate the tampon within just a few hours and avoid surgery. More than 88 percent of the estimated $1.1 billion worth of tampons sold in 2015 had plastic applicators. Dogs love to eat strange things as they often chew new objects as a way of interacting with them. Poison Ivy is a plant that growsin sunny or partially shaded areas, most notably around trees or rock formations. Milk jugs, children's toys, water bottles, baby bottles, dog food bowls, bottle caps, candy/food wrappers, food containers, tampon applicators, plastic balls and the list of plastic stuff around the house goes on and on. We vacuumed up, I checked mouth but I am afraid of sliver getting into his digestive wall. We all know dogs are not the most discerning of diners and will eat almost anything they shouldnt. Just one tampon can cause a blockage. 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. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet and tell him that your puppy ate soft plastic. If I see her chewing them I tell her to spit it out and she does. What Theyve Recently Eaten: If your dog has recently consumed a lot of water, fiber, and fat, the tampon is more likely to pass through quickly. Tampons are foreign objects and are designed to remain intact in the body for extended periods of time. You dont want a tampon in your dogs body, whether its used or not. Digestive upset and blockages can also occur with a used tampon. Despite being a common problem, it can cause serious health problems. If your dog eats a tampon with a piece of plastic still inside, the wrapper or dropper may provide an internal cut and tear risk. Now we need to worry about the applicator pieces. Many of us have these items on hand pretty much all of the time. Lastly, you can opt to put used tampons in a plastic, zipped bag when you put them in the trash can. Many tampon applicators are made from petroleum-based plastic or plant-based plastics. Then join our exclusive club! Best wishes, Lucy. Thanks. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Which Stores Allow Dogs? Gross. Wanna boost your dog's superpowers? Some dogs will have diarrhea at first, but the fecal output will eventually stop because nothing is passing through.. Featured Image Credit: Stas Malyarevsky, Shutterstock, 24 Cocker Spaniel Colors & Patterns (With Pictures), My Dog Ate Chocolate! Just because they find it amusing! The vet will try to find out the location of the tampon by peeking in your dog's mouth. And are there any ways we can prevent it? My dog ate a raw plug will it pass through? If your dog ate a tampon, follow these steps: The most crucial thing you can do is contact a veterinarian right away. No matter how understated the situation may seem. If your dog ate a tampon, it is important to induce vomiting as soon as possible. A lot of women prefer the plastic tampon applicator as they feel they have more control over where it goes. There's no right way to feel when one loses a dog. Lidocaine patches are fairly common in households. If a tampon causes a blockage, the intestines continue to try to move along, causing bruising and inflammation, which can even lead to perforation of the intestines in severe cases. The length of finger and tampon was flexible at the point where finger meets tampon - an applicator was hard plastic and rigid and longer (way too much friggin around when you feel like crap . But other times, the swallowing of a tampon can lead to health complications that result in permanent injury and even death. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the consequences of your dog eating a tampon. Frontline Vs Advantix: What Woof Is The Difference? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'expertanimal_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-expertanimal_com-medrectangle-3-0');If your dog ate tampon, you must intervene to make them feel better. Mouth lacerations Animals that swallow sharp pieces of plastic might suffer from mouth lacerations or cuts. If you find out that your dog has swallowed a tampon, always approach the situation with the utmost seriousness and concern. The deadliness of a blockage is why it is so vital that you pay attention to what goes into your dog's throat. And chewing often leads to the bored dog swallowing bits of whatever he just ripped apart. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. Two things can happen. Symptoms and Vet Care. Immediately you are aware that your dog swallowed plastic, call the vet so that he is aware of the situation. Tampons are soft on the outside of an applicator and should not be worn at all. You should call your veterinarian if you see your dog eat a tampon, as they can best advise your dog for their specific situation. They may take an x-ray, induce vomiting, or recommend surgery to remove the blockage. Your Dog's Size 2. 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. Dogs cooped up in the house get bored and look for anything to chew on or play with to amuse themselves. If your dog swallowed a plastic object, it would be in his intestines within about two hours. Were here to serve dogs and dog parents, and well always recommend what we think would best for your dog. If the tampon expands rapidly and causes a blockage in your dogs stomach, they may vomit and bring up the tampon, thus resolving the blockage and avoiding a major medical issue. We look at the steps you should take if a dog bites your dog. Digestive blockage Digestive blockage can also occur if your dog swallowed a tampon. My dog ate a cornet of a sandwich bag on a Sunday and the vet is not in. If your pet eats a tampon, then its best to treat it as soon as possible in order to minimize the potential damage and complications that they may suffer. Required fields are marked *. Its not! Is your pooch is a dumpster driver that likes to go through the trash (and found the plastic object there)? What it's all about. Is Mac and Cheese Safe for Dogs? Customer: I am unsure if my dog ate a plastic tampon applicator. Otherwise, it will sit in his intestines and cause a perforation or blockage. Some veterinarians offer support for people in financial difficulties. From your furniture, to precious ornaments and bits of paperwork. Depending on the size of the plastic, this may not be possible. Once youve determined what your dog has swallowed, and your vet has decided it is safe, they can help you induce vomiting. 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. We look at the emotions following a dog's death and ways to process them. If your dog had a veritable tampon feeding frenzy and has eaten a few, then you should definitely contact your vet immediately. What should I do if my dog has consumed a tampon? Conversely, if your dog eats an unused tampon, it may cause a blockage requiring surgery to remove it. 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. Tampon-eating is actually a pretty common problem among dogs. This is particularly important in smaller pooches where inducing vomiting with an expanded tampon will just cause your pet more discomfort and not actually have much chance of resolution. 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. So, if you leave plastic food containers on the counter, full or empty, yiu can bet a hungry dog with a powerful sniffer will notice. A blockage in the gut can cut off the blood supply to impacted organs within hours. Is Powerade Safe for Dogs? It can be very dangerous to make your dog throw up if you dont do it properly. Energy seems normal as of now, and is more than willing to eat and drink. 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. If the tampon cannot be passed and instead forms a blockage, this can cut off the bodys ability to receive water, nutrients, and even proper blood circulation. However, only remove them if it is safe to do so without injuring yourself. When a dog swallows a tampon, the health effects can range between the two extreme ends of the spectrum. Tampons and some other foreign objects do not show up on X-rays. Sometimes though, dogs might chew something they are not supposed to or pick up something you didn't see them pick up. If your pooch eats either a used or unused tampon, the complications that can occur range from a mild tummy upset to a serious medical emergency requiring surgery. Because their intestinal tracts are larger, larger dogs will be able to pass used tampons much more easily than smaller dogs. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their dogs; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. 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. We are all guilty of this bad habit from time to time, but all too often, we do not consider our actions until it is too late. When monitoring your dog, keep an eye out for symptoms that can include: Vomiting and dry-heaving An unused tampon that was not within the applicator could potentially expand in your dogs stomach, causing more obstruction. My Dog Ate a Tampon: How Long Does it Take to Pass? This can cause him to vomit when he tries to eat or drink and/or to not be able to pass normal stool. Once in a dog's digestive system, the tampon will absorb gastric juices used for digestion. For everything you need to know about saving your dog from choking, see this article by Vets-now.com. Forget the embarrassment, if your dog eats a tampon, it could be a medical emergency, and you should call your veterinarian for advice. You might have noticed plastic wrappers etc., in your dog's poo how do you prevent this from occurring again? My 2 year old Male dog keeps eating poo bags that people have left with poo in on paths. All rights reserved. Every Cycle Reusable Tampon Applicator 5.0 (1) $3999 ($39.99/Count) $3.99 delivery Mar 8 - 10 Cora Organic Applicator Tampons | Light/Regular/Super Absorbency | 100% Cotton Core, Unscented, BPA-Free Compact Applicator | Leak Protection, Easy Insertion, Non-Toxic | 72 Tampons 36 Count (Pack of 2) 4.5 (157) $2999 ($29.99/Count) An unused tampon still inside a plastic or cardboard applicator could cause lacerations and digestive system harm. Veterinarians may also use ultrasound to look for problems, which gives a smaller picture but can be more accurate in detecting objects. 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. And keep an eye out for the tampon applicator in their stool. Tampons are notorious for causing obstructions in dogs. Small plastic objects, such as plastic candy wrappers or soda bottle caps without sharp edges, may pass through a dogs digestive system with little or no stomach irritation. If part of the tampon is hanging out of the dogs butt, cut off that exposed portion with a scissors and consult with your vet. Itll also be more expensive than a simpler surgery! If youre worried about constipation due to the foreign object, give your dog a little plain yogurt or pureed pumpkin to help soften her stools. but this happened to me tonight!! Use more giant toys that the dog can cope with and that he can't destroy. Keep in mind that even if you have a large dog who eats a fiber-rich diet and only ate one tampon, complications can occur. Whether things went smoothly or not. Also, tampons contain materials that can be toxic to dogs, including artificial fibers, alcohol, dioxin, and aluminum. Tampons are even worse than other foreign objects, as unused tampons will swell in the stomach, making them larger and more difficult to pass. If your dog has eaten a used tampon, make sure they never do it again. Unfortunately, this sometimes means they can swallow items of feminine hygiene, which are often soft and novel for them. A bunch of tampons in your dogs tummy will expand and are extremely likely to cause an intestinal blockage requiring surgery without rapid intervention. Thank God it passed my poor pup I cant imagine the pain he was in!!!! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'expertanimal_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-expertanimal_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'expertanimal_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',166,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-expertanimal_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-166{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}You may be interested: Can you give dogs aspirin? My dog eat plastic polythene what will do?? You may assist ensure that your pet never ingests tampons again by taking these precautions. Tampons are soft outside of the applicator, but if your dog ate a tampon that was still in the wrapper or applicator, the plastic around the tampon might cause internal cuts and tear. Its about the size of a big iphone, and although the only difference she has made was that she wheezed and made retching noises slightly, I am extremely worried.