Dogs are known for sticking their nose and tongue where they don’t belong. This could be in an open trashcan sitting in your bathroom, with a used tampon in it. As gross and unwelcoming as the thought may be, there are a lot of dog parents who have presented to their vet because their dog ate a tampon.
Key Points
- Tampons can expand and cause choking hazards or intestinal blockages, which can be fatal if untreated. Their strings also pose entanglement risks.
- Watch for concerning symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy or straining to defecate which indicate an obstruction may require surgery.
- Rush the dog to the vet immediately if a tampon is ingested – don’t wait to see if it will pass naturally. Timeliness is critical.
- Give the vet details like tampon absorbency, number eaten, time of ingestion and noted symptoms to guide appropriate response. Additional treatments may be needed afterwards.
Tampons are personal care products designed specifically for women. Unlike pads, they are designed for the sole reason of being placed inside the vagina to absorb menstrual flow. Tampons come in different types and also vary in terms of absorbencies.
Tampons and pads can be attractive to dogs for both known and unknown reasons. Their texture and smell could be all a dog needs to try it out.
Regardless of why your dog would choose a tampon over its kibbles, you must treat the situation as a medical emergency. Tampons can be very dangerous to dogs. Read on as we discuss this further.
Why Do Dogs Eat Tampons
Dogs don’t need a special reason to eat tampons. Furry buddies as we know, are naturally curious. And just like they like to sniff out and chew on any object that piques their interest, they may be drawn to the texture, smell, or taste of tampons.
It could also be a result of an eating disorder called pica. Dogs who have pica usually eat things that are not considered food, this could be a tampon.
What Makes Tampons So Dangerous to Dogs?
The components of the tampon are what make it very dangerous to your dog. Each component of a tampon is capable of either causing harm to your dog solely or contributing to the harm that may befall your dog.
A typical tampon consists of an absorbent material such as cotton or rayon, a nonwoven or perforated film that wraps around the absorbent material, an attached cord or string that allows for easy removal of the tampon after use, fragrances to make the product smell nice and also masks bad odors.
What Can Happen to Your Dog After Eating a Tampon?
If your dog ate a tampon, there are a couple of things that can happen:
1. Choking
This should be the first thing to come to mind. If your dog ate a tampon, it is likely to choke on it. This is because tampons were designed to expand as soon as they come in contact with moisture.
Upon exposure to the saliva in your dog’s mouth and the moisture in its throat, the tampon is likely to expand. The expansion will make it difficult for your dog to swallow the tampon.
This will result in it getting lodged in your dog’s throat, and causing your dog to choke. If this happens, you may notice your dog gasping for air, coughing, and making attempts to clear its airway.
2. Intestinal Obstruction
If your dog successfully swallowed the tampon without choking, there is still the risk of intestinal obstruction.
The cotton or rayon material in tampons is highly absorbent. When they come in contact with the fluid in your dog’s stomach, they can expand significantly. The expansion can make it difficult for your dog to pass out the tampon. This can lead to intestinal obstruction.
Also, the string attached to the tampon can get tangled with your dog’s intestines, also leading to obstruction. Intestinal obstruction of this caliber can put your dog in excruciating pain, and serious discomfort. It can also expose your dog to serious complications.
A potential complication would be the stoppage of blood flow to other parts of the digestive system. A sustained absence of blow supply to these parts can cause the tissues there to begin to die off, further harming your dog.
A used tampon is less likely to cause intestinal obstruction in your dog when compared to an unused one. This is because a used tampon has already come in contact with blood and as such, has swollen. So the likelihood of it swelling further upon ingestion is less when compared to an unused tampon.
3. Risk of Infection
While you should be a bit more relieved that your dog ate a used tampon than an unused one, there is still a cause for concern. If your dog ate a used tampon, there may be a risk of infection.
Used tampons can be contaminated with bacteria and other pathogens, not excluding sexually transmitted infections. This can cause your dog to fall sick in the long run.
The risk of your dog coming down with any of the aforementioned troubles will depend on factors like the size of your dog and the number of tampons eaten.
Large dogs have larger intestines which are less likely to get clogged by tampons. Also, your dog is more likely to pass out one tampon than 5 of them.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For?
The are several signs your dog may express after it swallows a tampon. It is important to note these possible signs so as to know when to take action. They include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Constipation
- Straining to defecate
- Decreased energy levels (lethargy)
- Changes in behavior; can manifest as unusual body postures.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Tampon
If your dog swallowed a tampon, the first thing to do is to rush your dog to a veterinary clinic. It is especially crucial if your dog has started showing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, and changes in behavior.
While at the veterinary clinic, it is important that you provide the veterinarian with as much information as you can. Important information that can help your vet includes:
- the size of the tampon,
- the number of tampons swallowed,
- the time the tampons were ingested,
- the state of the tampon – used or unused, and
- any symptoms your dog has been exhibiting.
This information will help your veterinarian determine the severity of the situation and how best to proceed.
Your veterinarian will examine your dog physically and may also perform some tests that will help him determine the best course of treatment.
Depending on your dog’s size and the amount of tampon ingested, your vet may perform X-rays or an ultrasound to check if the tampons have caused the intestinal blockage or any other physical damage.
If your vet discovers an intestinal blockage, he may perform surgery to remove the tampon. In some cases, it may be possible to remove the tampon through a non-invasive means. This usually involves using an endoscope, a flexible tube fitted with a camera that can help visualize the inside of the body.
Sometimes, if the tampon has been in your dog’s system for a prolonged period of time, the vet may also recommend additional treatments such as IV fluids, pain medication, and support to help your dog recover.
It’s important to follow your vet’s instructions and monitor your dog’s progress to ensure a complete recovery. If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior or health, be sure to contact your vet right away.
How Long Does It Take For a Dog to Pass a Tampon?
The amount of time it will take your dog to pass out a tampon after ingestion will vary based on some factors. These factors can include the size of your dog, the size and number of tampons ingested, as well as any underlying health conditions your dog may have.
On average, it can take between 24 to 72 hours for your dog to pass a swallowed tampon. If the tampon becomes lodged in your dog’s intestines, it may cause an intestinal blockage which can be life-threatening. In cases like this, your dog may require surgical intervention.
If you suspect that your dog has ingested a tampon, we recommend that you don’t wait for your dog to pass it out naturally.
instead, take your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as soon as possible and explain the situation to your vet. Your vet will assess your dog and also decide on the right line of action to save your dog’s life.
Can a Tampon Kill a Dog?
Yes, a tampon can kill a dog if it is not removed promptly and properly. the potential trouble associated with your do swallowing a tampon is the risk of an intestinal blockage. This can lead to serious health complications and even death if left untreated.
The swallowed tampon can clog your dog’s digestive system, causing a blockage that interferes with the normal passage of food, fluid, and air. This can lead to swelling, pain, and damage to the digestive system.
In severe cases, the tampon can cause perforation of the intestines which can lead to life-threatening infection.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating a Tampon
You can protect your dog from ingesting a tampon by doing the following:
- Keep the trash can out of the reach of your dog by raising it above floor level or locking it in a cabinet.
- Use a trash can with a lid and ensure that the lid is always tightly closed
- Keep the bathroom door closed to prevent your dog from gaining access.
- Wrap all used pads and tampons in a separate bag before putting them in a trash can. This way, your dog can’t get attracted by its smell.
