Polyester stuffing and dogs usually go hand in hand. The reason is that many stuffed dog toys include stuffing made from polyester stuffing. And then there are many items in our homes that contain polyester stuffing. This can include children’s stuffed animals, pillows, and more.
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As you can imagine, dogs eating polyester stuffing is a common problem.
Polyester Stuffing Can Be Dangerous for Dogs
Depending on how much stuffing a dog eats, he may suffer some major medical problems. If a dog eats only a small piece of stuffing, chances are he will be OK. You’ll need to monitor your canine companion for any signs the stuffing’s making him sick. Symptoms you may notice include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
If you know for sure your fur baby only ate a very small piece stuffing, just watch him for a day or two. If the stuffing comes out in his vomit or poo, then he’ll be OK. However, if the vomiting and diarrhea don’t stop within 24 hours, then be sure to call the vet right away.
Did your dog eat a larger amount of stuffing? Then this could be a problem. The reason is that larger amounts of stuffing can cause an intestinal blockage, which can be a life-threatening medical emergency. The symptoms of an intestinal blockage can include:
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain and/or bloating
- Hunching
- Whining (due to feeling anxious and possibly from pain)
If you notice any one or more these symptoms, then be sure to call the vet right away. Your dog’s life may depend on it. The sooner you call the vet, the better because this could be a medical emergency.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Large Amount of Polyester Stuffing
If you know for certain that your dog has eaten a large amount of polyester stuffing, then call the vet immediately. Don’t induce vomiting, unless told to do so by your vet. The vet will probably ask you to bring your dog in to be checked.
Once at the vet’s, they will do a physical check of your dog, and may also x-rays, blood work and other tests. X-rays may be needed if the vet can’t make a definitive diagnosis. If your canine companion has an intestinal blockage then he’ll probably need surgery.
In most cases, dogs who receive prompt treatment of an intestinal blockage will recover and go on to lead happy doggie lives!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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