TL;DR: Swallowing a plastic toy is a high-priority emergency that can lead to life-threatening intestinal blockages; contact your veterinarian immediately and do not induce vomiting at home.
What happens if my dog swallows a plastic toy?
When a dog swallows a plastic toy, it is medically referred to as a foreign body ingestion. Because plastic is indigestible, it can become lodged in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, potentially leading to a life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction or internal damage from sharp edges.
Is swallowing a plastic toy an emergency for my dog?
- The urgency level for this situation is High; contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.
- Plastic objects pose a significant risk of causing a physical blockage that prevents food and water from passing through the digestive system.
- Seek immediate medical intervention if your dog is experiencing vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or lethargy.
- Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home, as the toy could cause further damage or become a choking hazard on the way back up.
How does a photo of the swallowed object help my veterinarian?
- Take a photo of an identical toy or any pieces left behind from the chewed object to show the veterinarian.
- A visual reference of the size, shape, and sharpness helps the medical team determine if the object can be retrieved via endoscopy or if surgical intervention is necessary.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
If a dog has swallowed a plastic toy, consider that foreign bodies are usually indigestible objects such as plastic, and may cause partial or complete gastrointestinal obstruction. Linear or small foreign bodies are more likely to cause partial obstruction, whereas large, round objects often result in complete obstruction. Some small radiographically identified objects may pass through the GI tract within 48 hours and can be monitored with serial radiographs if the animal is clinically stable. Endoscopy is typically limited to retrieval of gastric foreign bodies but cannot assess the GI tract distal to the pyloric or proximal duodenal region. Exploratory laparotomy is indicated if a foreign body distal to the pyloric region is present, if there are foreign bodies at multiple locations, if there are signs of septic peritonitis, or if endoscopy is not available. If endoscopy is used, the scope should be passed into the small intestine as distally as possible for evaluation, with radiographs taken before recovery from anesthesia to exclude multiple foreign bodies.
Chapter: Surgery
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 392)