My dog ingested rope-like fleece

[Steelerfan]

I woke up this morning let Izzy out, she ate some grass, but that's not at all unusual. She took her pill with cheese and had her usual 1/3 cup of dry food. No problems.

While I was sitting down to read the paper I saw the kitten's toy, a long plastic wand with a two foot section of rope-like fleece at the end, on the floor. The end of the toy was chewed and the rope is gone.

Izzy did bark a couple of times before I got out of bed, so I know she was awake.

I called the emergency vet, they told me to monitor her behavior. My regular vet opens in an hour, I'll take her in.

I am pretty freaked out, and I'd really appreciate any ideas. Thanks.

[KrystalBallard]

Ive had this happen before. If it isnt too big the dog will eliminate it with the stools. If it becomes blocked they will have to surgically remove it. Usually things like shoe laces and small ropeylike things get passed through. If she throws up or is you see blood coming out of either end immediately take to vet or Doggy ER. She should be ok, A LOT of dogs eat things they shouldnt. Just do what they say and monitor her.

[Denise L.]

Good luck. I had a scare with Cyrus a few years back when I thought he may have gotten into chicken bones in my aunt's trash. All turned out OK.

I have a cat too and I am very careful about toys. Last Xmas I finally settled on a big round thing with holes and a ball inside. Cyrus stays respectful of that toy, but the smaller things he will steal.

[targonrotts]

look around for missing toy parts...maybe she did not ingest it all.
keep eye on her-too late to try to make her throw it up...plus with some items it is best not to try to bring it up.
feed her high fiber foods today...this is the only time i really love hills w/d dry dog food. it will help bulk and pass the items in most cases.
like instructed, keep an eye on her.
vomiting, diarrhea,difficulty with bowels, tucking abdomen in, fever, not eating are all signs of get to vet quick.
some items can be seen easily by xrays...sometimes they have to do a barrium series to be able to find an obstruction.
hope all turns out ok and not in surgery.

[Sam's Mom]

It is amazing the things they can eat that pass through on their own. You are on top of the situation, which is all you can do now. I hope all "comes out in the end".

[Steelerfan]

Thanks for the feedback, and for providing a better thread title. I took Izzy to my vet this morning. They said that her size is working in her favor, and that they've seen Rotts pass things like forks and washcloths.

She's got a history of GI issues, and she's already on Hill's Prescription wet and dry ID. He prior problems involved compulsive floor licking and grass eating, which I suspect might be related to anxiety. We adopted her a year ago, and this is her third (and final) home.

So vomiting is not that unusual for her, especially since my wife is out of town for the weekend and that makes Izzy a little anxious.

We kept the fleece toy in the bedroom, no dogs in there, but our kitten must of dragged it out at some point. It's funny, we adopted the kitten earlier this year at six weeks and worried a little about Izzy's reaction, although she was fine with our two adult cats. Still, a relatively new 120 Rotti with a three pound kitten created a little anxiety. As it turned out Izzy was great, but the kitten (who I think is the spawn of the devil) may have created a problem.

I'm looking for warning signs, the vet told me to give Izzy wet food through the day to help the fleece move through her system, and I've got a good emergency clinic about 25 minutes away. Fingers crossed.

[Lola B Marie]

I can say from experience, if you see anything making an exit, and you feel the need to help, cut with scissors, don't pull. I had a boxer years ago who swallowed a ball of twine. I got rubber gloves and was prepared to help.Hubby said I could have killed him. These things can twist around the intestines. He followed him around the yard for 3 days snipping the string until the last piece just fell out. Easier when they have no tails.

[Steelerfan]

So far so good. She ate dinner ravenously, and she's had a couple of poops. They were fine, but I did find a piece of fleece in one of them, and so that rules out the possibility that devil-kitty got the fleece and stashed it somewhere.

I can say from experience, if you see anything making an exit, and you feel the need to help, cut with scissors, don't pull.

Thanks, that's the advice I got from my vet. She said pull very gently, if it comes out great, if not don't tug.

I got rubber gloves and was prepared to help.Hubby said I could have killed him. These things can twist around the intestines. He followed him around the yard for 3 days snipping the string until the last piece just fell out. Easier when they have no tails.

My vet shared a story with me while she was talking me down from the panic ledge. She had a young boxer that ate seven or eight feet of cheap Christmas lights, and he passed them in pieces over the course of a week.

Here's what I've learned from this:

- If your dog ingests a dangerous foreign object you've got no more than 30 minutes to get to the vet and induce vomiting. I would not recommend doing this at home.

- After that point it's a matter of consulting with the vet and keeping a very close eye on the dog.

- The barium test is an option. But it is expensive, and if you're not dealing with a really nasty metal object it might not tell you more than you could find out by monitoring your dog. If there is a bowel obstruction and you're on top of the situation you'll need that money.

- Kittens and Rottweilers can get along famously, but cat toys and Rotts do not. A determined kitten will deliver the most carefully guarded toy into the mouth of your dog. My kitten's new toy is a piece of dry kibble thrown across the floor, and he's thrilled to pieces.

- Know where your closest 24 hour pet emergency clinic is located. I've been to the one closest to us a few times over the years. I called them to report the problem and before my vet was open for the day, they gave me good advice. But it wasn't until I called later to confirm driving directions that they informed me that the clinic had moved. I can only imagine what trying to find them during a crisis would of been like.

Thanks again for the advice and support.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Steelerfan

So far so good. She ate dinner ravenously, and she's had a couple of poops. They were fine, but I did find a piece of fleece in one of them, and so that rules out the possibility that devil-kitty got the fleece and stashed it somewhere.

Good, I'm glad to hear things are moving! Maybe she chewed it into little bits before swallowing it. That would make things a lot less stressful for all, LOL.

Originally Posted by Steelerfan

Kittens and Rottweilers can get along famously, but cat toys and Rotts do not. My kitten's new toy is a piece of dry kibble thrown across the floor, and he's thrilled to pieces.

Yep, Bamboo (kitty) has been limited to playing with dog toys and bugs since before Chili ever came home to me. I'm now making my own chicken jerky for Chili and always break a bit off for Bamboo, too. He promptly bats it around and then eats it, LOL.

Originally Posted by Steelerfan

Know where your closest 24 hour pet emergency clinic is located. ...it wasn't until I called later to confirm driving directions that they informed me that the clinic had moved.

It wouldn't hurt to ask if they're going to open the damn door when you get there, too...and make sure you take a cell phone with you. I took Luna, who was in excrutiating pain at the time, to an ER clinic near me at around midnight. I called ahead to tell them I was coming and when I got there, the doors were locked (understandable at that hour) and I could not get anyone to come open the door, no matter how hard I pounded on it. I have no idea what they were doing in there, but they never answered the damn door. And of course I left home without my cell phone.

[Steelerfan]

Izzy passed the entire length of fleece this afternoon, it came out completely intact. She's fine, but I never want to see anything like that again.

[KrystalBallard]

Glad to hear. Amazing how they just eat whatever they want and worry us all sick!

[Gunsey'sMom]

I am glad to hear She is okay! Things like that are so scary. I have had a few situations like that here as well. Gunner has even managed to scarf down a pair of my underware without me knowing at all (this was when he was about 7 mos) and yak it up on the lawn outside.

You never thought you would be so glad to she her take a S???, huh? I am happy she is safe! Things like that happen quick- and they do happen reguardless of how picked up you keep everything it seems! Sleep well tonight you guys!!!