Watch What Your Dogs Likes to Chew
Delaware (United States):
"Does this look like something you lost?"
The veterinarian was pointing to an X-ray of a four-pound toy poodle's stomach. Or, actually, to the almost perfect outline of a safety pin lodged therein.
For three days, Sage had been sick. He couldn't keep down his meals or water. Year-old Sage always seemed wise enough to live up to his name, but now it appeared that he was dumb enough to gobble down a shiny metal object that would wreak havoc on his stomach.
Aren't animals supposed to know better than to eat things that make them sick?
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See Archive:
Lucky Puppy Survives After Swallowing 13-Inch Knife
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As veterinarians know, sometimes they're not. Sage is one of those dogs who have "pica" -- the medical term for eating strange objects such as rocks, rubber bands, string, clothing, socks and even feces. The consequences can be fatal if the animal's intestines become blocked or damaged.
Young dogs -- up to 2 years old -- are just as curious as human toddlers and may experiment by chewing and eating things they shouldn't. In most cases, puppies grow out of pica behavior, said veterinarian Daniel Aja, president of the American Animal Hospital Association. Older dogs who suddenly begin eating strange objects should be promptly evaluated by a veterinarian for health problems, such as diabetes and intestinal cancer, which can cause pica.
Stopping pica may require the aid of an animal behavior specialist, as about 90 percent of pica episodes result from behavioral issues and not from underlying health problems, said Aja. Pica may result from a pet's need for attention, frustration or anxiety.
Oct 10, 2005
January W Payne, The Washington Post
The News Journal, DE
Delaware (United States):
"Does this look like something you lost?"
The veterinarian was pointing to an X-ray of a four-pound toy poodle's stomach. Or, actually, to the almost perfect outline of a safety pin lodged therein.
For three days, Sage had been sick. He couldn't keep down his meals or water. Year-old Sage always seemed wise enough to live up to his name, but now it appeared that he was dumb enough to gobble down a shiny metal object that would wreak havoc on his stomach.
Aren't animals supposed to know better than to eat things that make them sick?
________________________________________
See Archive:
Lucky Puppy Survives After Swallowing 13-Inch Knife
________________________________________
As veterinarians know, sometimes they're not. Sage is one of those dogs who have "pica" -- the medical term for eating strange objects such as rocks, rubber bands, string, clothing, socks and even feces. The consequences can be fatal if the animal's intestines become blocked or damaged.
Young dogs -- up to 2 years old -- are just as curious as human toddlers and may experiment by chewing and eating things they shouldn't. In most cases, puppies grow out of pica behavior, said veterinarian Daniel Aja, president of the American Animal Hospital Association. Older dogs who suddenly begin eating strange objects should be promptly evaluated by a veterinarian for health problems, such as diabetes and intestinal cancer, which can cause pica.
Stopping pica may require the aid of an animal behavior specialist, as about 90 percent of pica episodes result from behavioral issues and not from underlying health problems, said Aja. Pica may result from a pet's need for attention, frustration or anxiety.
Oct 10, 2005
January W Payne, The Washington Post
The News Journal, DE
