My Dog Ate a Tampon: Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps (Vet Answer)

Yikes! You just got home and discovered your dog had a party in the bathroom trash can. On closer inspection, your dog might have eaten a tampon. Is it time to panic?

What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Tampon

First, take a deep breath and remove your dog from the "scene of the crime" so they can't eat anything else. Don't panic. Calmly check to see if your dog strews trash everywhere and might have hidden some items or if they might have eaten a tampon.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if it looks like your dog ate a tampon. The vet will likely need to see your dog as soon as possible. They might even need to refer you to a local emergency hospital. The veterinary team will ask if there is anything else your dog might have eaten, especially because other things the pup ingests could be even more dangerous.

What Are the Risks of Your Dog Eating a Tampon?

Why are we worrying if your dog ate a tampon? After all, your furry friend might eat socks, paper, or other crazy things. Well, tampons can expand and cause lots of issues, especially if you have a small dog.

Obstruction

Tampons expand and can easily obstruct your dog's intestines, especially if you have a small dog. An exploratory surgery could be necessary.

Gastrointestinal Upset

Any time your dog eats something unusual, you run the risk of GI upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea (and sometimes both). Severe cases can even lead to pancreatitis.

Trauma From the Applicator

If your dog eats a plastic tampon applicator, it can cause trauma to your dog's intestines beyond just a blockage. In addition to scratching the intestinal walls, sharp points on a plastic applicator can lead to intestinal perforation and peritonitis, which could be deadly.

Signs to Monitor for If Your Dog Ate a Tampon

Signs that your dog ate a tampon are quite variable. You might see your dog vomit or have diarrhea. Your pup might not have an appetite. Other signs can include:

• Whining
• Pacing
• Aggression
• Abdominal distension

Veterinary Diagnostics and Treatment if Your Dog Ate a Tampon

If your dog ate a tampon, your veterinarian will need to know when your dog might have eaten it. This time frame is essential because your vet might need to induce vomiting if it was a recent ingestion. The vet will likely recommend radiographs (X-rays) to check for an obstruction. The vet will sometimes use contrast to check for a blockage or may take serial radiographs (one every several hours) to see if the stomach contents are moving through the gut.

Depending on how sick he is, your dog might need exploratory surgery or hospitalization for several days.

Your veterinarian will usually treat any gastrointestinal distress symptomatically. Your dog might be on anti-nausea medications like Cerenia (maropitant) or probiotics to help with diarrhea. If your dog is dehydrated, they might need fluid therapy.

Preventing Your Dog From Eating a Tampon

Our dogs are clever, so we must thoroughly strive to puppy-proof our houses. To help prevent your puppy from getting into trash cans, keep them in the cabinet or enclosed with a lid. Closing the bathroom door may also be helpful if you have a dog who likes to tip the trash can.

Plenty of mental enrichment can also help keep your dog from getting bored and destructive. Canine puzzle toys come in a range of styles. Snuffle mats are a simple tool to draw out mealtime or occupy your dog with small treats. You can even make them at home if you're interested in DIY!

Conclusion

If your dog ate a tampon, don't panic. Contact your veterinarian so that your dog can be evaluated. Often, your veterinarian will need to take radiographs to look for an obstruction, which would likely warrant exploratory surgery. See also: 

• My Dog Ate Play-Doh: Should I Be Worried? (Vet Answer)

• My Dog Ate Skittles: Our Vet Explains the Risks, Signs & Next Steps

Featured Image Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A, Shutterstock