Dog Ate Ear Plug : (5 Menacing Symptoms)

Dogs are very playful and naughty. They love to play with toys, socks, pillows, and other things. But the problem arises when they start swallowing these things. One of the typical situations appeared when the dog ate earplug. Due to its size, it is easy to consume earplugs, and it ends up making the dogs dizzy.

Can dogs eat ear plugs? If the dog ate ear plug, they are difficult to digest for dogs but earplugs are not toxic. It is advised that you contact the Vet and if the situation is under control, you should wait for Plugs to pass from your dog’s body naturally. In most cases, if the dog ate silicone earplug, it is not dangerous, but you should keep an eye on them.

Dog ate ear plug
Dog Ate Ear Plug – Can Dogs Eat Ear Plugs

Such misfortune can happen to every animal, even if its owner is extremely attentive. Here is a question that may come to your mind,  Are silicone ear plugs toxic to dogs?

 

What Happens If My Dog Ate Ear Plug?

Your pooch eating weird stuff isn’t rare. These cute and curious creatures are very naughty and end up doing something wrong. If your dog ate ear plug, you might be wondering what will happen now? But to assure you, there’s probably nothing a pupper can’t pass without a struggle unless they were on a string. Strings may require further attention.

When inedible objects are at the level of the stomach, they are responsible for irritation and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach). Dogs may then present with vomiting and decreased appetite.

In case your puppy ate silicone ear plug, Symptoms can be different and depend on the site of the blockage (If there is a blockage), as well as the degree of obstruction of the canal. If “stuck” in the oesophagus after your dog ate ear plug, then you may notice that the dog is coughing, experiencing anxiety, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, hypersalivation, or regurgitation.

Obstruction of the small intestine can cause vomiting. Appetite is usually preserved after a few hours.  However, some time after eating, vomiting of semi-digested food is noted. It is believed that when an object blocks the digestive canal, there is a lack of faeces. In some cases, this is true; however, with incomplete obstruction, defecation persists.

 

What To Do If Dog Ate Rubber Ear Plug?

What happens if my dog ate an earplug? You should make sure that your dog isn’t choking or having any breathing difficulties or coughing. If it is choking, you should perform the Heimlich Maneuver, but If your dog isn’t choking, try taking off the object from their mouth, but be careful dogs get panicked in situations like these, and they might bite.

After your dog ate ear plugs, dogs may struggle for some time. If you notice a severe behaviour change, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible to induce vomiting using 3% hydrogen peroxide. Please never make your dog vomit on your own; the vet’s advice should be followed.

If the dog’s general well-being is good, watch and wait for any signs of weakness, drowsiness, nausea, refusal to eat. If any persist, take advice from the vet.

 

Symptoms Of A Dog Who Swallowed A foreign Object

If a dog has a foreign object in its stomach or intestine, the symptoms vary greatly depending on its location. Vomiting is common, often after the dog has eaten or drunk. The dog may also vomit sporadically over a long period if the object gets stuck in the stomach.

The dog usually stops eating and drinking due to intestinal obstruction, but often continues to vomit. Some dogs with foreign objects in the gastrointestinal tract may not vomit.

The presence of foreign bodies in the stomach or intestine can cause a gradual or very rapid deterioration of the general condition. Acute deterioration in health may be due to dehydration, but also damage or pain to the intestinal mucosa caused by pressure from the object. 

 

When To See A Veterinarian If Dog Ate Ear Plug? 

If the owner observes that his dog has swallowed a foreign object, he should immediately consult a veterinarian to attempt to induce vomiting with the help of medication in case the cause is severe. This should be done as soon as possible after ingestion. Dogs frequently eat inedible items.

Puppies are concerned during the oral phase where they discover the world with their mouths. In adults, eating inedible substances is abnormal and corresponds to pica. Pica can have a behavioural origin (following anxiety, hiding a destroyed object, etc.) or be due to diseases (deficiencies, parasitism, etc.).

In the case of air plugs, the average circumstances won’t lead you to consult a vet but sometimes in rare cases, you may need a vet. For example, if a small dog like a chihuahua ate earplug, you should be careful with them and contact your vet immediately when required.

 

Dog Ate Silicone Ear Plug, Will He Ok?

Ingestion of foreign bodies is one of the frequent causes of hospitalization of the dog to the veterinarian. According to a survey, 59% of the veterinarians surveyed were required to remove a foreign body from a domestic animal during the year.

Dogs of all sizes can be prone to ingesting foreign objects, although there appears to be a more marked tendency in some large dogs. If the swallowed object remains stuck in the intestines or stomach, the procedure to follow will depend on the size and type of object.

If it is too big to pass the pylorus, it can stay in the stomach for a very long time, up to several months. The foreign body can cause sporadic vomiting and the dog’s general condition may be affected.

If the object passes through the pylorus, passes into the intestine but gets stuck there, it blocks the transit and can affect the blood supply to the intestine, further worsening the dog’s condition. If the object passes through it can puncture the intestinal wall.

In this case, the object can end up with the contents of the intestine in the abdominal cavity which can cause peritonitis. If this is the case the general condition of the dog worsens rapidly and his life may be in danger.

 

What Are The Possible Risks Of Ingesting Foreign Bodies For Dogs?

The possible risks are: If you think your dog has swallowed an earplug and your pet’s health is good, you can just let nature take its course: your dog will do it all. simply digest the object in question or eliminate it.

On the other hand, if you think that your dog has ingested a lot of earplugs and if you notice abnormal behaviour of your dogs such as loss of appetite, diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, refusal to feed, lack of stool or depression, consult your veterinarian.

He will perform a palpation examination, he will perform an X-ray or an endoscopy to highlight foreign bodies located in his oesophagus or his stomach. Adequate treatment will then be put in place.

Dog ate ear plug
Dog Ate Ear Plug – Can Dogs Eat Ear Plugs

 

My Dog Ate A Foam Ear Plug, Is It Harmful?

Are ear plugs toxic if swallowed? In most cases, it isn’t harmful if your dog swallowed foam earplug, But in rare cases, if your dog swallowed many earbuds altogether, it could lead to blockage of the digestive tract, as discussed above. 

It is advised to observe the dog poop; in most cases, the foreign material will come out quickly but try to provide your dog with food that helps to excrete bulk up material like bananas or chicken, so it gets easy to excrete. But the occurrence of this situation is minimal if the dog ate ear plug.

 

Treatment At Vet

If the pooch is in a bad condition and when you consult a veterinarian, he performs a careful clinical examination that includes palpation, which is palpating the belly. If an inappropriate object in the stomach or intestine is suspected, the examination is usually supplemented by x-rays or ultrasounds.

If the foreign body has been swallowed within the last few hours, the veterinarian can sometimes get it out by administering a product that causes vomiting. The dog owner should never attempt to induce vomiting on his own.

If the dog’s general condition is affected and he has vomited several times, he will usually be given a rehydration solution intravenously to compensate for the dehydration. Since the presence of a foreign body in the stomach or intestine is often painful, treatment usually includes pain relievers.

If a foreign body has been detected in the stomach and attempted vomiting is unsuccessful or appears to be inappropriate, the object can be removed using an endoscope. 

If a veterinarian suspects that a foreign object is stuck in the intestine, surgery is often best. The intestine is opened and the object removed. Sometimes it is necessary to open the intestine in several places which complicate the operation. If the object is stuck in or near the colon it is usually possible to remove it through the anus, using massages.

 

How Long After A Dog Eats Something Will It Pass?

After your dog ate ear plug, It will stay in its intestine for about two hours. It’s better to give them a little water and take them for a walk. It should be noted that at this point, you can’t get your dog to vomit because it will make it worse.

Your dog will probably poop out the foreign material on the same day, but you should keep checking for 60 hours.

 

Why Does My Dog Eat My Ear Plugs?

Dogs are tame animals, but their genes are of wild ancestors, and that instinct has not disappeared. This species belongs to predators constantly looking for food in nature. In apartments and private houses, pets do the same.

Smelling particles settle on the nasal mucosa and irritate the olfactory receptors, and then the hunting instinct is triggered; the animal swallows the thing. Most animals, especially puppies, are drawn to inedible objects due to intense and often overwhelming curiosity.

It is not always possible to keep track of a pet. Usually, dogs pick up different things from the floor, which they curiously eat. So when your dog ate ear plug, you need to act quickly to save them.

 

How To Train Not To Eat Ear Plugs In The Future?

To avoid situations like these when your dog ate ear plug, keep your ear plugs away from their sneaky nose. Try putting small objects like children’s toys, nipples, pacifiers, playmats inside the cupboard, so next time you don’t find that your dog swallowed Airpod.

Also, you should carefully educate the animal and regularly give special treats to dogs that will satisfy the need to gnaw everything (in addition, they are a good prevention of oral diseases).

Keep Your Dog From Boredom: A bored dog will find all kinds of ways to get rid of boredom, including ingesting unwanted objects. Dogs, especially puppies, love to chew. Get your dog a toy appropriate for his age and size on which he can give free rein to his chewing and chewing desires.

 It would be best if you also tried to buy some exciting toys for your dogs like balls and other interactive toys for playing so that they stay busy and don’t lurk around the house finding new objects. Puppy-proof your home is another preventative you can try. Correct your pup’s behavior with a simple, firm “no” whenever you notice it mouthing something it shouldn’t.

These steps will ensure you don’t find your puppy ate silicone ear plug; instead, you find them enjoying their toys. The below chart represents the required intake of proteins and water per day by dog. Keep your dog full and well hydrated

 

Age of dogProtein IntakeWater needed
Growing puppy More than 29%1 ounce of water for every pound that a dog weighs
Adult dog18-25%

 

Final Verdict – Dog Ate Ear Plug

To conclude- when you find that your dog ate ear plug, try noticing the symptoms and behavior of the dog. Take precautions specified above and visit the vet.

Dog ate ear plug
Dog Ate Ear Plug – Can Dogs Eat Ear Plugs – dog ate ear plug while playing

Though in most cases, the situation doesn’t get critical but keep a check on the dog. Give medication as the vet suggests, and try giving your dog its favorite toys and food to uplift its mood and make sure it is hydrated. To prevent the same thing from happening again, take precautionary steps in the future.

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