My Dog Swallowed a Squeaker: Our Vet Discusses Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps
Most dogs have a favorite type of toy, and it’s usually one that squeaks. This type of toy is typically either plush or plastic and includes a device that makes a high-pitched noise when squeezed. While sometimes irritating, these noises tend to become background music in your home. However, it can be a big problem if your dog manages to remove and eat the toy’s squeaker. If your pup swallows a squeaker, remain calm and contact your vet immediately, as this can be a life-threatening situation.
What to Do If Your Dog Swallows a Squeaker
Whether you happen to witness the event firsthand or come home to a chewed-up plushie minus its noisemaker, it’s time to take action quickly.
1. Keep Calm
Your gut reaction may be to panic, but you’ve got to stay calm. Even though the adrenaline may be coursing through your body, don’t let your stress be known, especially to your dog. Remove them from the situation so they can’t eat anything else, and get on the phone.
2. Call Your Veterinarian
With a close eye on your dog, call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic. Explain what happened, how big your dog is, and whether they are showing any signs of distress or discomfort.
3. Follow the Veterinarian’s Instructions
Most vets will want to see your dog even if they’re acting normally. Get your pet to the clinic straightaway, preferably with your or someone else monitoring them on the drive for signs of breathing difficulty or stomach pain. Don’t feed your dog anything or induce vomiting unless instructed by your vet.
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Can a Dog Digest a Squeaker?
Squeaky toys are made of plastic, something that your dog’s digestive system isn’t equipped to handle, but that’s not the only trouble that a dog’s body may have when they consume a squeaker.
Choking
Some squeakers may seem small, but when one is swallowed whole, it can actually be a significant burden for your dog’s throat to handle, potentially becoming lodged in there. When something gets stuck in the esophagus, your dog will cough, gag, and otherwise have difficulty getting the air that they need to survive. Choking is an emergency situation that necessitates immediate care.
Intestinal Blockage
The noisemaker from a dog toy can’t be broken down, not even by canine stomach acid. Instead, it will journey through your dog’s digestive tract along with the other ingesta. This may be a problem when it encounters the tight twists and turns of the intestines. Depending on your dog’s size, a squeaker can become lodged in the intestines, backing up the normal progression of ingesta as it tries to make its way out of the body. Intestinal blockages can quickly become a big deal, so immediate veterinary attention is needed.
Perforation
While a squeaker in its original version is unlikely to puncture anything, a squeaker that has been chewed can. Sharp edges can rip or tear the digestive tract, potentially releasing bacteria and juices where they shouldn’t be in the abdomen, which can cause the dog to become severely ill. Perforations need to be treated immediately.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Swallowed a Squeaker?
Pups can be rather sneaky, and unless you catch your pet in the act, you may not know right away that they have eaten anything abnormal. If you don’t actively see them swallow a part of their toy, you may just find remnants of it and not be able to locate the voice box.
Therefore, your first indication that your dog swallowed the squeaker may be them displaying unusual signs, including:
- Difficulty breathing, gasping for breath
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Not eating
- Stomach pain (stretching out, bowing, whining, or crying)
- Constipation
Any of these signs warrant a veterinary visit, especially if they coincide with finding shredded toy remains.
What Will the Vet Do When a Dog Swallows a Squeaker?
Your vet will want to get the squeaker out of your dog in the way that causes the least amount of harm. This is going to vary on a case-by-case basis, and for some, it may include watching and waiting. This is typically done for large dogs where obstructions and choking are less likely. If your pup isn’t showing any signs of discomfort, their poop should be monitored for a day or two until the squeaker reappears and they’re in the clear.
Small dogs or those having issues may need the squeaker removed through alternative methods. Ultrasound may be done to locate the squeaker, and then it may be taken out through endoscopy if available. Induced vomiting may also be an option. Your vet may do this with a medication and then monitor your pup to make sure they don’t aspirate any of the vomit. Otherwise, surgical removal may be necessary, especially if the squeaker is unable to escape the intestines.
For dogs that are choking, the Heimlich maneuver may be helpful, but you shouldn’t do this unless directed by a vet.
Safer Toy Alternatives to Squeakers
Even if your pup is infatuated with the sound, squeaker toys aren’t for all dogs. Those that are especially destructive should play with more durable items, including rope toys, high-quality rubber toys, and tennis balls. If your dog simply loves plush items, get one without the squeaker to make things safer for your pet.
Also, be sure to supervise your dog whenever they’re playing, and never leave your destructive pup unattended while they have a toy in their possession.
Conclusion
Squeaker toys are all fun and games until the noisemaker gets swallowed. If your dog ingests a squeaker, remain calm, and call your vet for directions on the next steps to follow. This will likely be a trip to the nearest veterinary hospital. If possible, have someone come with you, as they can keep an eye on your dog to make sure they aren’t experiencing any severe side effects. Once your dog has recovered, opt for squeaker-free toys.
Featured Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock
