Signs a Puppy Digested Toy Stuffing

Some dogs will simply eat anything: watches, shoes, socks, cell phones, knives and even the stuffing from their own toys. Unfortunately, ingesting a foreign object can be a serious health threat for a puppy. Signs of intestinal blockage may show up at any point: from a few hours to a few days.When signs do occur, the owner should seek emergency veterinary care immediately, as intestinal blockages can cause death if left untreated.

  1. Anorexia

    • In dogs, anorexia is defined as a loss of appetite. In puppies, this can indicate that the dog is not feeling well, possibly due to the ingestion of an inanimate object such as toy stuffing. Loss of appetite can also indicate that the dog is unable to relieve himself by going to the bathroom.

    Constipation

    • A healthy dog will defecate once daily, or once every other day. If no other signs are present and the dog suddenly skips one of his daily defecations, it can indicate that a foreign object has caused an internal blockage. This is especially true, gaiven that the puppy has proven to be regular.

    Defecation

    • If the puppy is straining while defecating, it may indicate that feces have been produced but a slight blockage is occurring. Stuffing may not cause an internal injury, but eating other foreign objects such as a bone or plastic toy may cause internal injuries. Blood or unusual mucus in the puppy's feces can indicate internal injuries.

    Dehydration

    • Loss of appetite is often combined with the refusal to drink water, which can lead to dehydration. In a puppy, dehydration can become severe and require immediate medical attention. Signs of severe dehydration include shock, fever, collapse, coma or seizures.

    Stomach Pain

    • Some puppies may whine or cry, which can be an indication of internal pain. They may play or lick at their stomach area. If the owner tries to pet, rub or prod at the area, the puppy may wince, move away, whine or cry. The owner may notice that the stomach or abdominal area appears to be bloated.

    Vomiting

    • Vomiting is the body's way of trying to get rid of a foreign object, such as stuffing. If food is present, it may come up during bouts of vomiting. The stuffing may not necessarily come up, but the puppy may expel gastric juice.