My puppy is sick. Could eating backyard wood chips be the cause?

Hello there! I'm sorry to hear that Red is sick. I'm very worried about him as dark, tarry vomit and stools are very suspicious of gastrointestinal bleeding. I am even more concerned as you mentioned he ate some wood chips - while it's possible that the chips have just irritated his intestinal lining, it is also possible that he has an intestinal perforation (a hole in the intestines), which can be deadly. I'm glad to hear that his abdomen feels normal and he has pink gums, but it's still possible that he has bleeding going on, and he should get treatment for this as soon as possible. I strongly suggest bringing Red to an emergency veterinary hospital for treatment. At the very least, he probably needs some rehydrating fluids as he's likely dehydrated from all the vomiting. At the vet's office, he'll get a physical exam, and they will probably want to do some abdominal x-rays to look for any major bleeding. If there is no perforation, they can prescribe him some medication that can protect the GI tract and get him feeling better while the wood chips pass through. There is also the possibility that he has an obstruction, and he may require surgery. I do not recommend giving him anything at home, as depending on the cause of his symptoms, it could very well make him worse. The only way to figure out the best course of treatment is to have a vet look at him, and I recommend that he sees one ASAP. Good luck, and I really hope that Red gets well soon! PS - here's an emergency hospital local to you, in case you're unfamiliar with one: Affiliated Emergency Veterinary Service 11850 Aberdeen Street NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-754-5000

Hello. It is amazing what can pass through the gut of a dog. I am sure the wood Piper chewed up has softened & should pass without incident. As long as her appetite continues to be normal, I would not be too concerned. If she should stop eating, develop any diarrhea or painful defecation, develop a firm & painful abdomen, or appear to have a fever, please see your veterinarian immediately. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like Hachi has been chewing on a wooden post, but it does not appear that a large chunk is missing. While it is unlikely to cause an intestinal obstruction, the splinters from the wood may get lodged in his gums. I recommend keeping a close eye on Hachi for signs such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or vomiting as these may be signs of an obstruction. You can prevent Hachi from chewing furniture by making sure he has plenty of teething toys available and by appropriately disciplining him when he does chew on the furniture. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Milo. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. It is worrisome that he vomited wood pieces. This can be irritating and/or damaging to the gastrointestinal tract. If he is not drinking normally, I worry that he will become dehydrated. The veterinarian will examine him and determine how best to treat him. I hope this information helps!

Poor Blanco! Puppies often eat things they aren't supposed to, including wood, and sometimes it passes on it's own. It's good that he is having normal bowel movements, and has no signs of blood in his poor or mouth. It could be that his stomach is still upset from eating the wood, or there could still be pieces of wood in his GI system. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. Continue to monitor his poop for signs of wood, and monitor his overall behavior. If he refuses to eat the bland diet, vomits the bland diet, becomes very lethargic, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or has blood in his stool, he will need to see a vet right away.

I am so sorry to hear this and I am concerned about Diesel! Vomiting can be caused by many different things including dietary indiscretion, foreign bodies, infections, passing illnesses, as well as serious illnesses. It is good that you noted he has had his Parvo shot, although puppies do you need them boostered often and a small fraction of dogs will not respond appropriately to the vaccine. It sounds like an exam and/or other diagnostics can be beneficial. Your vet will likely need to guide you as it depends on her overall clinical picture, but diagnostics and supportive can have the potential to make a big difference in how he feels and how quickly he recovers! I hope it is nothing serious and that he feels better soon!

Thank you for your questions about Pippy. Many things can make pet's have an upset stomach: parasites, new foods/treats, viral infections, eating something they shouldn't have, toxins, organ disease or even intestinal blockage. The pine cones will generally only cause a problem if they are ingested. They will cause a blockage and this typically appears as vomting, not wanting to eat and being lethargic. The main concern I see if how small Pippy is. Small breed puppies are prone to low blood sugar (which is an emergency) so you really have to make sure they are eating and drinking normally. I generally recommend any pet that has been sick beyond 24 hours to see a veterinarian and that whats I recommend to Pippy too. She's been sick for 2 days and she is very small. Try to get her seen today and bring in a stool sample. The doctor will likely check her for more common reasons like parasites but may recommend further diagnostics. Also, switch her to a bland diet of 25% boiled white meat chicken and 75% plain boiled white rice. Feed her this for a few days as it will help to intestines to relax more. I hope this helps to point you in the right direction. Please feel free to post any additional questions!