Has your puppy eaten a stick? Are you worried the stick will make your puppy sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your puppy eats something he shouldn’t.
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To help you and your puppy, we’ve put together some information about sticks and whether or not they can make your puppy sick. Let’s get started!
Why Do Puppies Eat Sticks?
Puppies explore their new world in many ways. They use their senses, including smell, to learn new things. Puppies also use their mouths to explore their environment.
When a puppy finds a stick, he may think it’s a great thing to chew on. This is especially the case if the puppy is teething. They will chew on anything and everything in order to relieve teething pain and discomfort. Chewing also helps the new teeth break through the gums.
So, when the puppy’s chewing on a stick, it’s possible he may accidentally swallow parts of the stick. The parts may be large or small. What’s more, the chewed pieces of stick are probably sharp.
Sticks & Puppies
The danger is that the sharp pieces of the stick could injury the puppy’s mouth or teeth. The sharp stick pieces may also puncture the pup’s throat or any part of the digestive tract. What’s more, the pieces could even become lodged in the puppy’s digestive tract and lead to an intestinal blockage. This is a very serious condition that can lead to death if untreated.
Finally, the stick pieces could even block the puppy’s airways and cause him to choke.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms After Stick Ingestion in Puppies
You may notice these symptoms if your puppy has eaten a stick:
- Difficulty breathing (stick pieces may be blocking the puppy’s airways)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain & bloating
- Fever
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
If your puppy shows any of the symptoms above, then call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.
Treatment for Ingestion of Sticks in Puppies
Treatment will depend on the puppy’s symptoms and the vet’s diagnosis. For instance, if the stick pieces are still in the puppy’s stomach, then the vet may induce vomiting.
If the stick pieces have caused an intestinal blockage, then the vet will do emergency surgery. This will remove the blockage safely from the puppy’s intestines.
The good news is that in most cases, your puppy should make a complete recovery if he receives prompt medical care after eating a stick. He’ll be back to his playful self again in no time!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. No waiting for appointments or office hours. No high fees. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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