Items Surgically Removed From Dogs link from blog

Call it the $1,000 sock, because by the time your veterinarian reaches the source of Fido's digestive disruption, that's about how much that chewed up sock can set you back. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, has reimbursed policyholders for a lot of swallowed socks in its 25 years insuring America's pets. In fact, socks top a list compiled by VPI's claims adjusters ranking the most common items surgically removed from pets' gastrointestinal tracts.

Here are their picks:

1. Socks
2. Underwear
3. Panty Hose
4. Rocks
5. Balls
6. Chew Toys
7. Corn Cobs
8. Bones
9. Hair Ties/Ribbons
10. Sticks

Socks are #1 type of foreign body removed surgically from dogs.

Surgeon removing the previous sock from the intestine of a dog.

Chew toys removed from the stomach of a dog.

Gravel removed from the stomach of different dogs.

Ingestion of Feces and Foreign Objects in Dogs

Coprophagia and Pica in Dogs

Pica is a medical issue referring to a dog's craving of a non-food item and the subsequent eating of said item. Coprophagia, meanwhile, is the eating and ingesting of feces.

Generally, neither of these conditions are the result of an underlying disease, however, it can occur. Fortunately, there are treatment options in these types of cases, or behavior modification practices that can be implemented if it is a non-medical issue.

The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats.

Symptoms and Types
You may observe the dog eating dirt, clay, rocks, soap, or other items that can endanger the dog’s health. The largest organ system that is affected by this behavior is the gastrointestinal tract, especially if foreign objects are being swallowed. You may notice that the dog is vomiting, has loose stools, or has diarrhea. There may be weakness and lethargy in the dog.

Causes
There are several possible causes of dogs eating their own feces or other non-food items, including malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, increased appetite, or conditions such as diabetes, or thyroid disease. Parasites can be another of the causes for this behavior.

Sometimes a dog will eat their feces if there are undigested articles of food in their stool. Mothers with newborns will also commonly eat the feces of their newborns. As such, puppies may eat feces as an observation of the mother's behavior or as part of exploration. In addition, a dog may eat feces as a response to recent punishment, to get attention or because it desires to clean its environmental area

Medical Causes:
•Inflammatory bowel disease
•Diabetes
•Intestinal parasites
•Anemia
•Increased hunger
•Neurological disease
•Vitamin deficiency
•Malnutrition
•Thyroid disease

Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will be looking to distinguish between medical and behavioral causes. A full physical examination will be recommended to rule out underlying medical causes. If it is not due to a medical condition, the veterinarian will conduct a full history on the dog, including its diet and appetite, handling practices, and information about its environment. This will assist the veterinarian in developing a proper treatment plan.

Treatment
The treatment will also depend on whether the underlying cause is medical or behavioral in nature. For instance, if it is behavioral in nature, your veterinarian may recommend changing the dog's environment or using forms of behavior modification, such as a muzzle. Moreover, limit the dog's access to any non-food items in the home.

Living and Management
Follow up is recommended during the first few months following the initial treatment of the dog.

Prevention
Prevention of this type of behavior will require limiting the dog's access to non-food items, or applying a bitter or pungent taste to such items to discourage regular consumption or chewing. Keeping the dog's area clean and disposing of waste promptly will also bar the dog's access to feces.

In addition, dietary needs must be met to be sure that the dog is being supplied with all of its vitamin and nutritional needs, and to be sure that the dog is being fed the required amount of food.

About Us Affiliates Blog Business Associates Business Links Contact Pet Links Site Map