If your dog ate tampon, you must act quickly to give your pup the best chance of recovery. What to do if your dog consumes a tampon.
While there are many benefits to pet parenthood, it may also be stressful, especially when your furry buddy gets their hands on something they shouldn’t. Whether your dog found a tampon in the garbage or snatched one from your bag, learning that your dog ate one can be a terrifying event.
If your dog ate a tampon, you must intervene to make them feel better. Acting quickly can make a significant impact on your pet’s health. Continue reading to find out what might happen if your dog eats a tampon, what to do if this happens, and how to avoid it in the future.
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Is it dangerous for my dog to eat a tampon?
Tampons and anything else your pet eats that isn’t part of a healthy, regular diet could be deadly.
This is especially true if the object, such as tampons, is a choking hazard. There are several other reasons why your dog may be in a vulnerable position as a result of eating a tampon.
You must contact a veterinarian as soon as you discover your pet has consumed this product. This will allow your pet to receive the necessary medical treatment and give them the best chance of recovering quickly.
Are you concerned about your dog?
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the consequences of your dog eating a tampon.
- Choking
Because of the size and form of a tampon, your pet may be at risk of choking. If your dog is gasping for air or coughing and is unable to clear its airway, this is a strong indication that they are choking on the tampon. Choking prevents air from leaving your dog’s lungs, therefore you must treat it very away. Quick action can increase your pet’s chances of full recovery.
- Internal abrasions and tears
There’s also a chance that a tampon in your dog’s body will cause internal cuts and tears. Because your dog’s digestive system is so important for so many functions, you want to make sure it isn’t harmed as a result of eating the tampon.
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.
- Digestive obstruction
If your dog ate a tampon, he or she may experience a digestive blockage. An obstruction or blockage causes your pet’s digestive tract to malfunction, making it difficult to pass liquids or solids. This may necessitate surgical intervention; however, a veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your dog.
Is it true that used tampons are more harmful than unused tampons?
The severity of the condition is determined by numerous aspects, but whether your dog ate a used or unused tampon, you should consult a veterinarian right once.
An unused tampon that was not within the applicator could potentially expand in your dog’s stomach, causing more obstruction. An unused tampon still inside a plastic or cardboard applicator could cause lacerations and digestive system harm. A used tampon can also cause digestive distress and obstructions.
You don’t want a tampon in your dog’s body, whether it’s used or not.
What should I do if my dog has consumed a tampon?
If your dog ate tampon, the sooner you act, the better the prognosis for your dog will be. Remember to stay as calm as possible throughout the process. Dogs are extremely sensitive to their pet owners’ emotions and can easily become upset.
If your dog ate a tampon, follow these steps:
Consult a veterinarian.
The most crucial thing you can do is contact a veterinarian right away. If you can’t get into a vet on the weekend or in the middle of the night, you can chat with a Pawn Vet online for free. They can advise you on the best next step to take, whether that is to watch your dog at home or to take them to an emergency vet for an x-ray.
Not All Dogs Will Develop Illness
Not all dogs will require veterinarian care after swallowing a used tampon. Some people may not have any troubles at all. While these dogs were fortunate, this does not mean you can assume your dog will be well. Many dogs still have difficulties, so keeping an eye on them is the most critical thing you can do.
Contributing Factors
There are a few factors to consider when determining the level of danger your dog is in.
- Because their intestinal tracts are larger, larger dogs will be able to pass used tampons much more easily than smaller dogs.
- What They’ve Recently Eaten: If your dog has recently consumed a lot of water, fiber, and fat, the tampon is more likely to pass through quickly.
- How Many Tampons Did Your Dog Eat: The best-case scenario is that your dog only ate one. However, if multiple tampons are used, the risk is much higher.
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.
Dog ate tampon?
Closely monitor your dog
Keep a watch on your dog to notice any changes or new symptoms. Take careful notes so that you can provide the vet with as much information as possible. Keep an eye out for symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, urinating or defecating difficulties, aversion to eating, or an inability to sit, lie down or walk properly.
Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond, a Pawp veterinarian, says “Tampons are an awful source of intestinal blockage in dogs. Typically, the first indicators of a blockage are vomiting and anorexia. Some dogs will have diarrhea at first, but the fecal output will eventually stop because nothing is passing through.”
Will my dog be ok if he ate a tampon?
If your dog ate a tampon, you’ll want to do everything possible to prevent a similar experience—and, as a result, a repeat vet bill. Here’s what you can do to keep your pet from eating more tampons.
Close the bathroom door.
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.
Along with this, make sure that tampons are secured away or high enough up so that your pet cannot reach them if they get into the bathroom. You can even hide them behind a locked medicine cabinet to keep your pets out of reach.
Purchase a pet-proof garbage bin.
Menstrual hygiene products must be disposed of away properly. The second step is to get a pet-proof trash can with no uncovered top so your pet cannot stick its nose into the rubbish bin. Consider a garbage can with a lid or one that requires you to press down with your foot to open it.
Place used tampons in a zip-top plastic bag.
Finally, instead of throwing old tampons in the trash, place them in a plastic, zipped bag. This ensures that even if your dog does get into the trash, they have a decreased probability of getting into a zippered plastic bag as well.
My dog ate a tampon applicator
If your dog ate a tampon applicator rather than a tampon, the situation is less serious. While the small plastic piece may pose a choking hazard, it will most likely pass through your dog’s digestive tract. There’s always the possibility that it will obstruct the intestine, but that usually won’t happen with a piece the size of a tampon applicator unless it’s a very small dog. If your dog eats a tampon applicator, keep an eye out for signs like constipation, loss of appetite, and lethargy, and contact a veterinarian right away if any of these occur. Also, keep a look out for the tampon applicator in their stool.
Conclusion
We’ve provided a brief and straightforward explanation of what to do if your dog ate a tampon. The first step is to comprehend the harm that a tampon can do to your dog’s body. If your dog has eaten a tampon, contact a veterinarian right away for professional advice on how to handle the situation. The symptoms of a problem may take several days to appear, so always keep a close eye on your dog and act quickly.
Keeping Your Dog Away from Tampons
If your dog has eaten a used tampon, make sure they never do it again. Whether things went smoothly or not. To avoid this, either keep your bathroom door closed tightly or invest in a pet-proof trashcan that is expressly designed to keep even the most daring dogs out. You might also try placing your bin in an area where your dog cannot get it. You may assist ensure that your pet never ingests tampons again by taking these precautions.
References: ncraoa.com , www.superbdog.com , mypetchild.com , pawp.com