Pets are naturally curious creatures, and they often explore the world with their mouth, which can lead to a foreign body ingestion including socks, yarn, toys, corncobs and anything your pet decides is swallowable. If the object can’t pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the affected pet can experience serious, life-threatening complications unless the foreign body is removed. At  State Ave Veterinary Clinic we often diagnose and treat pets with GI foreign bodies. We describe everything you need to know about this condition.

Why do pets eat foreign bodies?

You may think your pet is silly for eating a rock. However, pets ingest foreign bodies for various reasons, including:

  • Curiosity — Pets, particularly puppies and kittens, tend to be extremely curious, and they often chew and swallow items as they explore their environment.
  • Boredom — Pets who don’t have enough physical and mental enrichment may chew objects out of boredom and frustration.
  • Natural instincts — Cats are predators and typically eat their prey at the end of the hunt. When they play with string and other objects, cats often try to ingest the item to mimic the hunt-prey cycle.
  • Scavenging — A pet scavenging in the trash may accidentally eat a foreign object, such as a corncob, bone, or plastic wrap, in their search for food.
  • Pica — Nutritional deficiencies and behavioral issues can cause pets to crave and ingest nonfood items, exhibiting this disease’s signs.

What objects do pets commonly ingest?

Your pet can ingest any item small enough for them to swallow. However, common GI foreign bodies include:

  • Bones
  • Sticks
  • Stones
  • Toys
  • String and other string-like materials such as yarn and tinsel
  • Clothing items such as socks and underwear
  • Food wrappers and packaging
  • Batteries

How does ingesting a foreign body affect my pet?

If the foreign body is small enough and does not damage the GI tract, it can pass through your pet’s GI tract without causing problems. When complications occur, however, signs may include:

  • Drooling — Many pets who ingest a foreign body feel nauseous and drool in response to their tummy upset.
  • Inappetence — If your pet experiences a GI foreign body, they likely will refuse to eat.
  • Vomiting — Frequent and persistent vomiting is a common GI foreign body sign.
  • Abdominal pain — Your pet may exhibit discomfort such as whining, restlessness, or a hunched posture.
  • Lethargy — Your pet may seem unusually tired or weak.
  • Changes in bowel movements — A GI foreign body may cause diarrhea or constipation.

How is a GI foreign body diagnosed in pets?

If you know or suspect your pet has ingested a foreign body, prompt veterinary care is crucial. Diagnosis typically involves:

  • Physical exam — Our team will perform a thorough physical exam, checking your pet’s abdomen for pain or distention.
  • Imaging — Imaging modalities, such as X-rays and ultrasound, are commonly used to locate and identify GI foreign bodies.
  • Endoscopy — If the object is small and still in your pet’s stomach, a flexible camera can be used to visualize and potentially remove the object.

How is a GI foreign body treated in pets?

Treatment for a GI foreign body depends on the object’s nature and location in your pet’s digestive tract. Options include:

  • Induced vomiting — If the item is small, recently ingested, and not caustic, we may induce vomiting to help the pet expel the object. Never induce your pet to vomit without consulting our team because if not induced properly, vomiting can cause serious complications.
  • Endoscopic removal — As mentioned above, some items can be removed from the stomach using an endoscope.
  • Surgery — If the object is large, sharp, or caustic, or causes an obstruction, surgical removal is necessary. Our team will anesthetize your pet, incise their abdomen and GI tract, assess the health of the intestine, and remove the object and any compromised intestine. Once the foreign body is removed, we will close the incision and provide the necessary medications to help prevent infection and pain.

What should I expect if my pet has a GI foreign body surgery?

The extent of your pet’s GI foreign body surgery depends on the item they have ingested and its location in their digestive tract. After the foreign body is removed, your pet may require:

  • Medication — Medications are often necessary to relieve pain and help prevent infection and get the intestine moving again. 
  • Hospitalization — Hospitalization may be necessary for critical treatments and assessment during the recovery period
  • IV fluids and feeding tube — IV and feeding tubes may be necessary during recovery to ensure proper hydration and nutrition. 
  • Dietary changes — We may prescribe a special diet to ease your pet’s digestive process during recovery.
  • Follow-up visits and communications — Your pet may need follow-up visits so we can monitor their healing and ensure no complications arise. 

Foreign body ingestion requires prompt veterinary attention. Contact our State Ave Veterinary Clinic team if your four-legged friend swallows something they shouldn’t or if they show any of the clinical signs described above.