What to Do If Your Dog Swallowed Broken Glass Shards
Unlike humans that can tell if something is right for them before eating it, dogs do not seem to know the difference between what they should eat and what they should not eat. This means they end up eating things that they naturally should not come close to.
What do you do when your dog eats up something made of glass? Something like a glass ornament? Let us find out below.
Have an Assessment of the Situation
If you just discovered that your dog ate glass, the first thing you need to do is assess the situation. The risk your dogs will face is dependent on the shape and the size of the glass it ate. If the glass is small, all your canine might have to deal with are some cuts on its lips. However, if the piece of glass is quite big, it might experience internal injuries. Nonetheless, in some instances, dogs eat glass without having any form of damage.
What should you expect When your Dog Eats Glass?
Some dog owners are lucky as their pets do not get hurt after eating glass. However, not every dog will eat glass without being hurt.
When a dog eats glass, it is most likely to get injured on its tongue and lips. This could result in a small or large wound. A bit of luck and the shape and size of the glass are determining factors of what the result will be.
The condition of the glass it swallowed is a significant determinant of what the outcome will be. If your dog eats a big piece of glass, it will most likely suffer from external harm. Lots of dog owners are very concerned about their dog eating glass that is too big. This might be fear taken a little too far. If the glass piece is too big, your dog will not be able to swallow it. On the other hand, dogs can swallow medium-sized and small pieces of glass very easily. When swallowed, they end up in the stomach and can cause real problems.
Although every dog that swallows glass faces potential danger, there are times these pieces of glass go through the gastrointestinal tract without causing any real damage. This is possible when the dog already has some substance from previously eaten meals in its stomach. These substances will most likely give the glass a soft landing, pad it up, and escort it out of its body system.
While it is possible for the glass to pass out of your dog’s system without causing any injury, if the glass is just a bit larger, it could cause some damage to your dog’s organ. The glass could cut your dog’s intestinal tract and cause internal bleeding.
If your canine has an internal cut, it might have to deal with a blockage or gastroenteritis. When this occurs, your dog will be unable to pass out feces for a while.
This situation could cause your dog momentary discomfort, and things will get back to normal. However, it could be life-threatening.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Glass?
If you do not always have your eyes on your dog, it will be impossible to tell that it has eaten glass for sure. However, if you have any suspicions that your dog has eaten glass, you should look out for symptoms of discomfort.
The first thing you must do if you think your dog has eaten glass is to get in touch with your veterinarian. They will give you tips on the symptoms to look out for. And what to do in this situation.
If your dog eats glass, there will be lots of indications. However, the most noticeable will be external. Look out for small and large cuts on its mouth.
While looking out for cuts, always bear in mind that you are not a professional. So what seems insignificant may be a lot more serious than you assume.
If your dog gets wounded in its mouth, you will need to visit a veterinarian as oral injuries are easily infected. To avoid any infections to your dog’s mouth, visit the vet for examination and treatment.
Does it look like your dog is choking on something because it has glass pieces in its throat? You can tell it’s choking if it is pawing at its neck. When you talk to your vet, they will let you know the techniques that can help you help the glass safely go through the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
What You Shouldn’t Do
When your dog eats glass, inducing vomiting might seem like the right thing to do. However, it can be a terrible move. When dogs vomit, their tissues contract. This process can cause your additional dog harm. Its esophagus is most likely to get injured as sharp objects make their way up.
Instead of inducing vomiting, you might need to give your canine some potatoes, pumpkin, or bread. When it eats foods like this, they could form a layer over the glass and prevent it from getting stuck in its intestine. This method works for dogs of different sizes. It, however, is a lot more practical for small-sized canines.
When your dog eats glass, you must look out for signs such as a painful abdomen, loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting.
Additionally, you should look out for blood in its stool, bloody diarrhea, and any diarrhea. Furthermore, look out for any sign of straining during defecation and constipation.
Apart from looking out for the conditions your dog has to go through when passing out poop, you should look out for the contents of its poop. This might not be easy since what you are searching for is not valuable. Nonetheless, it is something you must do very carefully.
If you notice any shiny substance in your dog’s poop, you have to visit the vet for assistance in passing out any objects that might still be in its body. This should be done immediately to avoid complications.
