|Barked: Thu Jul 15, '10 12:42pm PST |
|Unfortunatley Corn Cobs are one of the biggest obstruction causers especially during the summer! If they are swollowed whole or in large pieces they often are unable to pass through the small intestine. The small intestine is the most common area for obstruction as it is a very small (hence the name) diameter compared to the large intestine.
If you know he ate it without chewing an obstruction is possible. Unfortunatley, unless they suggest a scope (which is usually not likely with a cob as they are large pieces making it tough to pull back out the throat) the is little you can do until he either passes it on his own or starts having obstruction symptoms.
Some people try a padding diet to help coat the cob and make it easier to pass. Padding diets include large slices of wheat bread or boiled rice. I personally think the wheat bread works better. Make sure he is on a "poop watch" so that you know how many times he goes, what comes out and home much is likely still inside.
Time can sometimes be tough. Foreign material will sometimes bounce around in the stomach before making it out and into the intestines. I have seen undigestable stuff hang out in the stomach for 3-4 days or even longer before entering the GI tract. Once in the small intestine it usually takes about 12-24 hours to pass as long as the pet is well hydrated and has good motility.
GI foreign bodies or obstructions will cause lots of vomiting but NOT diarrhea (as the GI system is blocked not allowing stool production). However they may have 1 normal stool just after blocking since it is already in the GI tract ready to be expelled. In a foreign body situation the pet will be unable to hold down any liquid or food that enters them. Dehydration will actually make a FB worse or possibly more likely. IE items may be able to pass on own once a pet is admmitted to the hospital and placed on IVF if dehydrated at all.
Most ER's (unless you want to try GI scope like I mentioned above but as I said they usually like to use this for small items like coins or jewelry or soft items like socks and panties) will not suggest coming in until symptoms have started since there are definite possibilities it could pass on its own. HOWEVER once vomiting starts get in ASAP. I don't want to scare you but I have seen pets die from corn cob FB's, they usually have been sick for days to weeks before being treated but death is possible. Obvioulsly since you are asking this is less likely in Gus's case but just make sure to seek medical attention if anything goes wrong or Gus is not feeling well/vomiting.
At home I would start a padding/bland diet (WW bread and boiled rice/beef/chicken) and a poop watch and provide tons of fresh H20 (possibly add to food too) to keep hydration up and sit back and watch...
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