Help! My Dog Eats Plastic Toys, Vet Advice and tips
Okay, so, the other day, I noticed something pretty alarming. My dog, Max, he's a golden retriever, a real goofball, had something... different... in his mouth. Usually, it's his squeaky hedgehog or a tennis ball, but this was bright blue and kinda crinkly.
The Discovery
I got closer, and my heart kinda sank. It was a piece of a plastic toy, one of those cheap, hollow ones that he'd apparently managed to chomp apart. I've always been super careful about keeping small, breakable things away from him, but I guess I missed this one.
The Freak-Out
First, I panicked. You know, the whole "Oh my god, my dog ate plastic!" internal screaming. I immediately took away the remaining piece of the toy and then started frantically checking his mouth for any other bits.
- I pried his jaws open (he wasn't thrilled, but he's a good boy).
- I felt around with my fingers (gross, I know, but necessary).
- I looked for any cuts or anything stuck in his gums or teeth.
Thankfully, I couldn't find anything else in his mouth.
The Waiting Game
So the toy that was destoryed,I throw it into the trashcan.
The next few hours were agonizing. I watched him like a hawk, looking for any signs of distress.
- Was he vomiting?
- Was he choking?
- Was he able to poop okay?
- Was he acting lethargic or in pain?
Observed for 24 hours. Fortunately, Max showed no signs of discomfort.
I guess it has already been excreted, hah.
The Aftermath
I did a sweep of the whole house. Found a couple more toys that were on the verge of breaking, and I just chucked them. It's not worth the risk. I'm sticking to tougher, more durable toys from now on, even if they cost a bit more. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind, and more importantly, for Max's safety.
The lesson learned, I replaced with some super-tough, almost indestructible chew toys. He seems to love them just as much, and I can relax a little knowing he's not going to swallow another piece of plastic. And all of those broken toys,I throw them away.
It was a scary experience, but thankfully, it had a happy ending. Just a reminder to all the dog owners out there – double-check those toys!
