Dogs (and some cats) love to eat things that don’t belong in a stomach—socks, underwear, toys, corn cobs, bones, and more. Sometimes it passes. Sometimes it causes a blockage that becomes life-threatening.
If you suspect foreign body ingestion, call promptly.
➡️ Urgent care: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/emergencies-urgent-care/
➡️ Contact: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/contact-us/
Common items that cause blockages
- Socks, underwear, towels
- Toys (especially pieces)
- Corn cobs
- Bones (splintering risk)
- String, ribbon, hair ties (especially dangerous for cats)
Warning signs of a blockage
- Repeated vomiting
- Refusing food
- Abdominal pain, hunched posture
- Lethargy
- Drooling
- Diarrhea or straining
- “Praying position” (front end down, rear up)
- Your pet seems restless and can’t get comfortable
When it’s an emergency
Go in immediately if:
- Your pet is vomiting repeatedly
- Can’t keep water down
- Abdomen looks bloated/painful
- Weakness/collapse occurs
- The swallowed object was sharp, string-like, or large
What your vet may do
Depending on timing and symptoms, we may recommend:
- Exam + abdominal palpation
- X-rays and/or ultrasound
- Bloodwork (dehydration, infection risk)
- Treatment options:
- Monitoring/support if safe
- Inducing vomiting (only in select cases and timeframes)
- Endoscopy (if appropriate and available)
- Surgery when obstruction is suspected
➡️ Soft tissue surgery: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/soft-tissue-surgery/
The best next step
If you think your pet ate something, call us rather than waiting for symptoms.
➡️ Urgent care: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/emergencies-urgent-care/
➡️ Contact: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/contact-us/
➡️ Request appointment: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/request-appointment/
