Bella is a five year old female dachshund that actually belongs to one of our Alpine View Vet Clinic team members, Kyrsten. Bella is as sweet and playful as any dachshund out there but she takes playing, and more specifically chewing to a whole new level!! Poor Bella has had not one, but two foreign body surgeries. On both occasions the objects that Bella ingested were rubber, the first time it was a flip flop and the second time a rubber door stopper. Luckily for Bella the obstructions were caught early and both of her surgeries went well. Fortunately for Bella she hasn’t had a foreign body now for three years but her owner Kyrsten has to keep a close eye on her as she’s still constantly sniffing around for more rubber and other fun things to chew on. Kyrsten still has to bring Bella in every once in a while for abdominal x-rays as they still find pieces of this and that chewed up around the house but luckily for Bella (and Kyrsten) nothing she has chewed up recently has caused another obstruction. It’s important to note that pets, cats or dogs, who chew regularly can be a real danger to themselves! Some things are able to pass all the way through the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, and colon, however, many/most items cannot!!! If there is an obstruction the pet will be unable to pass anything (food/waste) through its system and can become very sick, very fast. Some signs to watch for, for a possible obstruction in your pet would be:

• Not eating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• No bowel movements at all or straining to produce bowel movements
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain

Top ten items ingested by pets:

• Socks
• Underwear
• Pantyhose
• Rocks
• Balls
• Chew toys
• Corn cobs
• Bones
• Hair ties/ribbons
• Sticks

If your pet is experiencing any or all of the symptoms listed above or if you think your pet may have chewed up one of the objects listed above please call your veterinarian at Alpine View here in the Monroe & Snohomish area right away at 360-794-6662. The faster you catch an obstruction the better off the surgery results and your pet’s recovery will be. Sincerely, Bella, Kyrsten, Taunia & all your friends from Alpine View!