My dog threw up but is acting normal. Should I worry about a blockage?

Hello there! Tampons absorb fluid, so when ingested, they can swell in the intestines and cause a blockage that requires surgery. This could affect any size dog, but as Hershey is a large breed, she has a better chance of being able to pass the tampon without needing surgery. This is good news! The signs of her having an intestinal obstruction that requires medical or surgical attention would be: Not interested in food, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargic, being reclusive (like laying in a corner by herself) I am not alarmed that she has vomited once, but keep an eye on her. If she starts to show other signs that I mentioned, take her into her vet. They will recommend x-rays to check for a blockage in the intestinal tract and bloodwork to check for infections and anemia that can result from a blockage. Then they will either recommend medical intervention, which may include fluids, antibiotics, a high fiber diet, and enemas, or surgical intervention, which may include cutting the intestine to remove the tampon or having to remove a piece of intestine if there is tissue damage. Again, this is worst case scenario. As she is still eating well, defecating normally, and behaving normally, I think home monitoring is absolutely fine for now considering she is such a large dog. Next time she vomits, try to remove it from her before she can eat it again- I realize this is easier said than done. :) I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Lady. Given what you are describing, no I don't think she has a blockage. It's great she is pooping, even if it's small amounts, plus she is her normal self. I'd be concerned if she had diarrhea, wasn't pooping at all, had blood in her feces, wasn't eating, and/or was very lethargic. I would continue to monitor her to be safe. Best of luck.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Darla still has the contents in her stomach to bring them up after a week, then there are three possibilities: 1. She is finding and eating more and bringing them up right away, and you haven't noticed her eating more. 2. They are 'bouncing around' in the stomach, not causing a blockage but not moving through either. 3. There is a blockage, however if this were the case you would likely have seen that Darla wouldn't be eating/drinking or pooping since the 23rd, and would be very sick. If Darla is vomiting, not eating, and not pooping, then she needs to go to a vet right away. Otherwise you might want to consider a scope or xrays/ultrasound to see if more are present. If she is bright, happy, eating and pooping and playing normally, you can monitor, however she is at risk of an obstruction at any time if she still has anything in her stomach that isn't food. Best of luck with Darla!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Kalua is still acting sick, straining to pass stool, vomitting or not eating you may need to take him to the vet. A paper towel by itself probably wouldn't cause an obstruction but if there was grease on it or he ate something else he could have gastritis, pancreatitis or an obstruction. If he is acting more normal today, feed a bland diet such as chicken and rice for a couple of days (Plain, no fat, skin, bones or seasoning). But if he continues to vomit or not eat, has diarrhea or constipation he should be seen by his vet. I hope he feels better soon.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The symptoms of gastrointestinal blockage include vomiting, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, no bowel movement. If Freya has been eating her food and passing stools, gut blockage is very unlikely. I suspect she may have gastrointestinal infection or food indiscretion that are responsible for the clinical symptoms. Please, take Freya to your local vets for an appointment to make sure there is nothing serious going and to get treatment for her. It probably will be a course of antibiotics or medication to regulate bowel movements.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. If kora is not exhibiting signs such as vomiting, lethargy, inappetance or abdominal pain then she is likely ok. If you notice these signs I would get kora seen by the vet and have x-rays performed to rule out an intestinal blockage. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Wow, that was definitely stuck there for a while and it must have just came unstuck. This is quite unusual and means that there was a partial blockage the whole time. Complete blockages and sometimes partial blockage can cause life-threatening complications, but Rocko does not appear to be having those signs. If he is eating, drinking and defecating OK, then there is no need to rush him to the vet at this time. If he does become blocked, he would stop eating, stop defecating, vomit and would generally be appearing depressed. If you notice the combination of those signs happening, then he should go to the vet right away. I hope that helps and Rocko gets better soon.