Hi! It’s Tully again.
One thing my owner and other vets get to see regularly is pets who are ill because they have swallowed a foreign object. We can present in various ways from being a bit off colour to constantly vomiting, and we can deteriorate very quickly.
We (dogs) are more commonly affected than cats as they are more likely to play with, chew and swallow various objects. Burmese seem more likely to swallow things than other cats. Bones which have been swallowed after not being chewed properly are a common culprit. Other commonly seen objects are macadamia nuts, avocado stones, golf and squash balls, cling wrap and plastic bags, and even used disposable nappies and tampons.
Yes I know that’s gross to you but sometimes we dogs just can’t help ourselves!)
Some foreign bodies can be easy to diagnose as the vet can feel a painful lump in the abdomen which is usually confirmed with an x-ray. Solid objects like bones, stones and balls are easily identified on x-ray while soft objects like plastic and string can be more difficult to diagnose. Sometimes we might have to swallow barium liquid before the x-ray to coat the object and identify it.
In some cases where we are not too ill because ingesta can bypass the object, liquid paraffin given orally can help to keep the object moving and it can be passed. Unfortunately in most cases surgery must be performed to remove the object but happily the prognosis is usually very good with rapid recovery.
Luckily my owners are very careful with what they give me access to. I am a bit of a garbage guts and don’t want anything to get stuck inside me!
Montville Veterinary Clinic Justin Bulling 26 Kondalilla Falls Rd Montville Ph 5445 7666
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