My pet ate something they shouldn’t have! All your questions answered.

By Samuel Dicker, DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care

Remember: This information does not replace consultation with and physical exam by a veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian for advice about your specific pet. When in doubt about an emergency, call our VSEC emergency service and we can help guide you anytime, day or night: (914) 315-4600.

Pets ingesting things they shouldn’t is a very common reason to come to an emergency vet. We see this more commonly in younger, more mischievous dogs and cats, but it can happen to any pet. Sometimes it’s something tasty that animals shouldn’t eat—foods, fabric, medication, metal, or even batteries. You name it, and we’ve probably seen an animal eat it. Treatment for each case depends on what was eaten, the amount, and the individual animal. If you’re worried your pet may have ingested something dangerous, our walk-in emergency service in Mamaroneck, NY is here 24/7.

Firstly, is the material toxic?

There is an endless list of materials, plants, and foods that pets may ingest that can be toxic. Certain common examples include household medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Even a small amount of acetaminophen can be very harmful to a cat because of the way cats’ livers process this drug. Other examples of toxic material include coins such as pennies, which contain zinc, and can cause red blood cell breakdown in the body. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate at higher doses, can cause gastrointestinal upset and abnormal heart rhythms. Certain plants and flowers can be toxic. For example, lilies are extremely toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure.

Treatment for toxins varies depending on how much of a substance was ingested and when. Prompt veterinary care at an emergency veterinary care center is recommended. If the toxin was ingested recently, we typically recommend decontamination by inducing vomiting. Inducing vomiting is often best done at the animal hospital – we have very effective medications for this! Small doses of oral hydrogen peroxide should be dosed by a veterinarian to dogs only. Hydrogen peroxide can be very damaging to cats’ stomachs and must be avoided. If the toxin is something solid, such as pennies, we may recommend endoscopy or surgery. Endoscopy is minimally invasive and is offered at the Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center.

When in doubt, call our VSEC emergency service, your after-hours vet care option in Westchester. Depending on the item ingested, we can help guide you 24/7. We may also advise you to call an Animal Poison Control Center.

What kind of foreign material can cause an obstruction?

Almost anything that isn’t food – and even sometimes food. Common causes of gastrointestinal obstruction are cloth such as socks, underwear, and fluffy toys, rawhides, fractured pieces of rubber or plastic toys, and hairballs, particularly in long haired cats. Large fruit pits, such as a peach pit, can cause obstruction. String can be particularly dangerous and can cause the intestines to accordion (i.e. plicate), causing obstruction and severe intestinal damage if left untreated. Mischievous cats seem prone to ingesting sewing thread or balloon ribbon. Certain cloth objects can also have a linear component to the obstruction.

Could foreign material cause an obstruction?

It depends. Some materials may be more prone to causing an obstruction than others. Certain material may pass through the gastrointestinal tract without issue if the animal is hydrated, but this is a discussion best had with your emergency veterinarian. This may depend on, for example, if we suspect the material is non-toxic and was chewed into many tiny pieces. If an obstruction in the stomach or intestines occurs, this may result in a need for endoscopy or veterinary surgery. 

What are signs of a gastrointestinal obstruction?

Signs can vary, but typically include decreased or lack of appetite, vomiting, nausea such as drooling, and lethargy.

Many symptoms can cause these signs of illness, so any sick animal is best evaluated by a veterinarian. Call VSEC or come to our 24/7 animal hospital to have your pet examined by an experienced emergency veterinarian.

What imaging can we do?

X-rays, also known as radiographs, of the abdomen are often a good first step. Sometimes, depending on the material present, this is not always seen on radiographs. For example, metal, such as coins or screws, are easily seen on radiographs. Other material, such as cloth, is not always seen. Sometimes we look for a pattern on the radiograph to suggest foreign material or an obstruction, such as distended loops of intestines, a fluid-filled stomach, or gas surrounding foreign material. This is why radiographs are a good start, but are not always 100%.

 Ultrasound of the abdomen is an excellent imaging modality and is best performed by someone with ultrasound experience. While we often cannot identify the foreign object itself, we can often see a shadow in the stomach or intestines suggesting foreign material. In addition, obstruction is often accompanied by distension of the intestines. Ultrasound, which is actual sound waves, cannot penetrate through gas, so sometimes radiographs of the abdomen are also needed if there is gas in the stomach. This is why we sometimes recommend both radiographs and ultrasound if we’re not sure.

In certain cases, radiographs and ultrasound may be inconclusive, and we may recommend a CT scan. A CT scan for pets is highly sensitive for detecting foreign material and obstruction. This typically requires light sedation and is reviewed by a radiologist.

At VSEC in Mamaroneck, NY, we offer advanced diagnostic imaging for pets, including radiographs, ultrasound, and CT at our specialty facility. Our emergency veterinarians and specialists will help guide you through any recommendations.

What if the foreign material is in the stomach?

If we feel the material needs to be removed, is toxic, or has the potential to cause obstruction, we may recommend inducing vomiting – done safely at our Westchester veterinary clinic under supervision. We have very effective medications that are fast acting, easily reversed, and do not cause irritation to the stomach. If this is unsuccessful, we may recommend endoscopy, which involves placing a camera through the animal’s mouth and into the stomach while the animal is under anesthesia. Endoscopy is often successful, but in certain cases, surgery is the only option.

Endoscopy is part of our specialty veterinary care at VSEC and can be performed by a specialist or emergency veterinarian.

What about intestinal foreign material?

If the material is passing through the gastrointestinal tract and your pet is otherwise healthy, we may recommend watching and waiting. Alternatively, if an obstruction is present in the intestines, surgery is the only option. The intestines are typically too far along the tract to reach with endoscopy, so emergency surgery for your pet would be needed.

What about something stuck in the esophagus?

Pets with an esophageal foreign body may experience a lack of appetite, excessive drooling, or may be unable to keep food down. Chest x-rays can help show the issue, but it can still be difficult to see depending on the foreign material present. For example, a rawhide or food (such as a piece of chicken) has the same opacity on x-rays as the surrounding tissue, although we can use certain clues to see if a foreign object is present.

We treat esophageal foreign body obstruction at Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center with endoscopy, and are open 24 hours to assess your pet. Oftentimes, pets can go home the same day.

What happens if an obstruction is left untreated?

A foreign body obstruction can result in damage and perforation of the intestinal tract, which is life-threatening. This causes bacteria and intestinal contents to enter the abdomen, which is called a “septic abdomen.” Treatment is immediate surgery. In certain cases, perforation may not occur, but can result in chronic weight loss and vomiting. Gastrointestinal obstruction is an emergency, and here at VSEC in Mamaroneck, NY, we’re available 24/7 to evaluate and treat your pet.