Gastrointestinal Obstruction

Foreign objects can become lodged in your pet's digestive tract, causing partial or complete blockage. Common items include toys, clothing, strings, bones, and other non-food objects. Linear foreign bodies (strings, ribbons, etc.) are particularly dangerous as they can cause the intestines to bunch up.

Symptoms:

• Repeated vomiting
• Inability to keep food or water down
• Lethargy and depression
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Straining to defecate or diarrhoea
• Hunched posture
• Pawing at the mouth (if object is stuck in throat)

Action Steps:

1. Contact your veterinarian immediately - this is an emergency.
2. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinarian.
3. If you saw your pet consume a specific object, bring this information.
4. Do not wait to seek treatment - intestinal blockages can be fatal.