The VSP Voice |
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Educating, Advocating,
& Caring for Every Paw. |
The VSP VoiceEducating, Advocating, & Caring for Every Paw  If you’ve ever caught your dog gulping down a sock or your cat batting around a hair tie like it’s a gourmet treat, you know the surge of panic that follows. How do they always seem to find the most dangerous things to snack on? And why do some objects pass right through their system, while others cause an emergency?
March is National Animal Poison Prevention Month, and while we all know chocolate, grapes, and onions are toxic for pets, some of the most dangerous items they ingest aren’t technically “poisonous”—they’re simply indigestible. Let’s dive into the wild world of pet digestion and explore the science behind why some objects make it out… and others get stuck. Your Pet’s Stomach Is Tough—But Not Indestructible Dogs and cats have highly acidic stomachs, evolved to break down raw meat, bone, and even some bacteria that would make us sick. But that doesn’t mean their digestive systems are built to handle everything. Some foreign objects pass right through, while others get stuck, leading to dangerous blockages or even internal injury. 🚫 Danger Zone: Items That Can Cause Serious Problems
“My Dog Ate What?!” - Stories From VSP + Urgent Care At Veterinary Specialist Partners + Urgent Care, we’ve had our fair share of surprises when it comes to what pets have ingested. Here are some of the weirdest: 🎀 23 hair ties (all from the same cat!) 🔋 A battery (safely removed using an upper GI scope before causing severe burns) 👕 A giant chunk out of a t-shirt (because some dogs think fabric is a snack) 🔧 A spark plug (successfully retrieved via endoscopy—no mechanic skills required!) 🎣 A fishing hook (reeled in just before it could turn this guy into the catch of the day!) 🚺 Feminine hygiene products (a surprisingly common but dangerous ingestion) Most of these were able to be treated using endoscopy, a minimally invasive camera-guided tool! How Do You Know If Your Pet Needs a Vet? If your pet has eaten something unusual, watch for these red flag symptoms: ✅ Vomiting (especially if it happens multiple times) ✅ Loss of appetite ✅ Straining or lack of bowel movements ✅ Bloated or painful belly ✅ Lethargy or unusual behavior Even if your pet seems fine initially, some objects can take days to cause a blockage. The sooner we intervene, the better the outcome for your furry friend. The Science of Saving Stomachs If we suspect a foreign object, we use the following tools to find and remove it safely: 🔬 X-rays: To locate dense materials like metal, bones, or ingested coins. 🩺 Ultrasound: Ideal for finding softer materials like fabric or plastic. 📹 Endoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure that allows us to remove small objects without the need for surgery. ✂️ Surgery: When the object is too large or causing internal damage, surgery may be necessary to prevent further harm. How to Prevent a “WHAT DID YOU JUST EAT?!” Moment 🛑 Keep tempting items out of reach. Remember, laundry baskets should have lids! 🐾 Supervise pets with chew toys—some dogs are skilled at chewing off chunks of rubber or rawhide. 🗑️ Use pet-proof trash cans. (Because leftovers from dinner ≠ a balanced diet for your pet!) 🐶 Train a solid “leave it” command—it could save their life. When in Doubt, We Can Help! If you ever suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous, don’t wait—our urgent care team is available 7 days a week to help. 📍 VSP + Urgent Care - Louisville, KY ⏰ Open until 10 PM, every day! 📞 Call us anytime: 502-901-7990 Click Here to Grab a Spot in Line for Urgent Care 💬 Has your pet ever eaten something totally bizarre? Share your story in the comments. We’d love to hear it!
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