Foreign Object Ingestion in Pets: When “I’m Missing a Sock” Becomes an Emergency

One minute your dog is happily trotting around the living room, the next you notice a missing sock, chewed-up kid’s toy, or your lunch bag gone from the counter. For cats, it may be a ribbon, hair tie, or tinsel from your holiday tree. Many families wonder if this will just cause an upset stomach- or if it could be something far more serious.

At Emergency Pet Hospital of Glendora, we see cases like this every week. Sometimes the object passes on its own, but many times it becomes lodged in the stomach or intestines, turning a playful accident into a life-threatening emergency.

Spotting the Warning Signs of a Foreign Body

Mild signs like skipping a meal or vomiting once are easy to brush off. But ingestion of a foreign object can escalate quickly.

Early signs to watch for include:

  • Vomiting, especially of undigested food after a meal
  • Skipping meals or seeming “off”
  • Restlessness or abdominal discomfort

Red flags that mean trouble is brewing:

  • Repeated vomiting or retching
  • Straining without producing stool
  • Sudden lethargy or collapse
  • Abdominal swelling or tenderness

Complete obstructions cause rapid decline, while partial obstructions may look milder but still do serious damage. Objects like string, floss, or ribbon can cause a linear obstruction, folding the intestines like an accordion and risking dangerous tears.

Why Time Is Critical

The difference between a pet vomiting up an object and needing surgery can be measured in hours. Waiting too long raises the risk of intestinal damage, longer ICU stays, and even death.

Objects we commonly remove include corncobs, toys, coins (which can cause zinc toxicity), and mulch or plant matter. Everyday hazardous household items are far riskier than most families realize. What may seem too large to swallow often fits past the tongue with surprising ease, especially in determined and bored dogs.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Foreign Body Ingestion

When a pet arrives at our ER, stabilization is the first step: IV fluids, pain relief, and checking hydration. From there, our diagnostic services help confirm what’s going on:

  • Physical exam clues: A painful or tense belly, drooling, or string caught under the tongue.
  • Radiographs (X-rays): Reveal dilated intestines, gas patterns, or visible objects like bones or coins.
  • Ultrasound: Helps locate blockages, check for free fluid, and assess blood flow to the intestine.
  • Lab tests: Measure electrolytes, hydration status, and organ function, and identify infection or inflammation.

In severe cases, advanced imaging like CT scans may be needed to locate unusual objects or track complications such as perforation. The goal is not only to find the object but also to assess how much damage it has caused and plan the safest treatment.

Treatment Options for Swallowed Objects

Inducing Vomiting or Monitoring

If ingestion happened very recently and the object is small and smooth, we may induce vomiting under close supervision. This approach is safest within the first one to two hours after ingestion. Some pets are hospitalized for fluids, medications, and repeat imaging to ensure the object passes naturally.

Endoscopy

For items in the esophagus, stomach, or upper intestine, veterinary endoscopy can retrieve them without an incision. Endoscopy uses a flexible camera and retrieval tools, allowing removal with minimal recovery time. Not all objects are candidates, but when successful, pets often go home the same day.

Surgery

If the object has moved deeper or caused an obstruction, surgery may be required. The type of surgery depends on location and severity:

  • Gastrotomy – opening the stomach to remove the item
  • Enterotomy – opening the intestine to retrieve the object
  • Resection and anastomosis – removing damaged intestine and reconnecting healthy sections

Our experienced surgical team uses advanced anesthesia monitoring, warming systems, and critical care protocols to ensure the highest safety standards during these complex procedures.

Life-Saving Critical Care After Surgery

Removing the object is only part of the battle. Pets often need intensive monitoring in the ICU to stabilize and recover. Veterinary critical care includes:

  • Continuous IV fluids and electrolytes to restore balance
  • Pain management tailored to each patient’s comfort
  • Anti-nausea medications and GI protectants to support digestion
  • Early nutritional support, often with special recovery diets
  • Oxygen therapy if aspiration or respiratory distress is present
  • Monitoring for complications like infection, ileus (intestinal slowdown), or leakage from surgical sites

In our ICU, pets are monitored around the clock for changes in heart rate, breathing, and abdominal comfort. Most patients spend one to three days in the hospital after surgery, depending on the severity of their case.

Possible Complications

Even with surgery, complications can occur, which is why close monitoring is so critical. Risks include:

  • Breakdown of intestinal sutures leading to peritonitis
  • Prolonged ileus, delaying normal gut function
  • Septic infections within the abdomen
  • Short bowel syndrome if large sections of intestine are removed
  • Aspiration pneumonia from repeated vomiting prior to surgery

Our team prepares for these complications by using preventive antibiotics, careful surgical technique, and intensive monitoring, but early treatment remains the best way to avoid them altogether.

Home Care After Foreign Body Surgery

Recovery does not end at the hospital door. At home, your role is critical in ensuring healing continues smoothly:

  • Rest: Use crate rest or a quiet room. These dog crate rest tips and cat post-surgery care guides can help.
  • Incision monitoring: Check the surgical site daily for redness, swelling, or discharge.
  • Cone use: A properly sized e-collar should extend past the nose to prevent licking.
  • Diet: Start with small, bland meals. Transition slowly back to normal food over several days.
  • Medications: Give all prescribed pain relievers, antibiotics, or GI protectants exactly as directed.
  • Enrichment: Keep pets engaged with dog enrichment activities and cat enrichment toys that don’t involve risky chewing.

Clear communication with your veterinarian during recovery is key. Any vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy should be reported immediately.

Preventing Future Ingestions

While some pets are notorious for eating anything, prevention goes a long way:

  • Pet-proof the home: Prevent pet emergencies by securing trash, laundry, and children’s toys.
  • Training: Teach “leave it” and consider basket muzzle training for chronic offenders.
  • Plan financially: Emergencies are costly. Having a savings fund or pet insurance can make decision-making easier when every minute counts.

Call Us the Moment You Suspect Ingestion

If your pet may have swallowed something, don’t wait to see if it passes. A single delay could mean the difference between a simple procedure and life-threatening surgery.

At Emergency Pet Hospital of Glendora, we are open overnight on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and holidays to handle urgent cases like foreign body ingestion.
500 S Glendora Ave, Glendora, CA 91740
 (626) 702-2436
Mon–Fri: 6:00pm–8:00am | Weekends & Holidays: Open 24/7

Contact us today or explore our services to learn more about how we handle pet emergencies.

Care you can count on, when it matters most.