Styrofoam comes in many shapes and sizes. It’s often used as packaging material, used as cushioning in pet beds. It’s also found in bean bags, soft toys and much more. Which is amazing considering that Styrofoam can be very dangerous for dogs (and other pets, as well as small children).
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Plus, some pet parents may use Styrofoam dishes (plates, cups, and bowls). And some meat trays are made of Styrofoam. You can even find Styrofoam in building materials, insulation for pipes or walls, and more. This material is literally everywhere around us, which makes it much easier for dogs to access.
Some Styrofoam is compostable, while others are biodegradable. And certain types of Styrofoam are made from corn starch.
Other forms of Styrofoam are made out of styrene, which is a petroleum-based product. Styrene is also a known carcinogen.
What to do if My Dog Eats Styrofoam?
The first thing you must do is to stay calm. Your fur baby needs you to make decisions that affect his life. Plus, you may make him more upset, all of which can make things worse. Then make sure your dog isn’t able to get any more Styrofoam.
Note: Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by your vet. This can cause more problems.
1). Is your dog showing any difficult breathing? This can sometimes happen if the dog swallows the Styrofoam and it becomes lodged in the trachea. If he’s breathing OK, then move on to the next questions.
2). Consider the amount of Styrofoam your dog has eaten. Was it only a small piece? Then in most cases your dog should be OK.
3). Call the vet and let them know what’s happened. Be sure to tell them when your dog at the Styrofoam, and about much he may have eaten, as well as the type of Styrofoam. Explain any symptoms your dog may be showing.
4). Follow the vet’s advice. They may ask that you bring the dog in to be examined. The vet may want to check your dog for a blocked intestine, which can be a life-threatening medical emergency.
Treatment of for Dogs that Swallow Styrofoam
Your dog will be examined and then will receive treatment, which could be overnight or longer, depending on the medical problem. In case of blocked intestines, your fur baby may even require surgery to remove the Styrofoam blockage.
In most cases, dogs will make a great recovery if they receive fast medical treatment.
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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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