Help please -

Hi,
     My dog chewed on a power cord today.  It was loose in a box so it was not plugged in.  When I got hom he had thrown up in 3 places - all the little pieces including the rubber casing in pieces, the copper wire in little segments, and other bits where in his throw up.  I cleaned it all up and there was one more spot that looked like spit up... it was yellow like normal.  A little after that he dry heaved just spit and fluid came up.  All the big parts of the cord where found but I am worried about the little pieces of wire inside the cord.  The vet who is local said I should feed him a little bit of plain white rice for his dinner and give him a 10mg pepcid ac for his stomach.  She was not really worried but she said she was concered about two things - obstruction and toxicity... What should I look out for? After I fed him the rice he did throw it up...just the rice.. Is this all normal or when do I need to take him for tests at the vet? I am worried...but Im not sure if I would be jumping the gun by going to the vet...

[trish934]

hi!
  I would have been worry over this as well but, i think you should give her some time he/she will come along. keep feeding as the vet had instructed! All those elements that it have chewed will come out eventually if not through convulsion (vomiting) it will pass out in their stole.I am only concerned that if its copper(metal) hope it causes no tearing.
My little one once had a bite in food grosssss! Frog mess! and i had to take to her vet what he gave me was something called G Salt (Potassium-2 Naphthol-6,8 Disulfonate) I am not sure whats the name of it in your country? and she also got some tablets with antibiotics. When i gave her the G-salt which is like a liquid substance brought the mess right up and next two days she was back to her normal self. But, wait for your vet's order and keep us posted okay!

[ginger899]

I would say keep a very close eye on him, and if his stomach doesn't settle, if he keeps throwing up even plain water, if he gets lethargic, or any other symptom you don't like the look of, and nothing is better within the next day.....then it would be best to take him back to the vet soon as possible. If there IS an obstruction he will need emergency treatment. Also if any copper wire is causing problems lower down.

If you have a metal detector you can tell if there is copper inside him. Just run the detector over him. You could also use one of those sensors that tells you whether there are nails or electric wiring in walls. The detector should pick up even the smallest amount. You'd need someone to hold him still, preferably on his back laying down to do it.
Dogs do often pass the most incredible things out the other end without too many problems. But wire is a bit tricky. I think your vet has given good advice....for now. The next stage is seeing how he goes, and if he's obviously still not well....back to the vet.

[ginger899]

Sorry, I meant "her" not "him".

[Ans03]

Thank you both so much.  I really appreciate the advice.  It is so helpful just to have someone calm you down when you dog does something crazy like eat a power cord.. crazy.  Anyway things are looking a whole lot better today.  He has had regular bowel movements (shiny with copper bits of wire thankfully) and he is hungry for regular food which I have been carefull in giving him.  No tummy upsets today but to say the least when I was at work I had him crated and had my dog walker check in on him.  Everything seems to be in the clear but I will keep a look out still.  I know some things take a while to show symptoms but I am optimistic.  

I will keep an eye out and let you know when the coast is completely clear but thank you so much for your prompt response and your advice.  Finley (my dog) and I greatly appreciate it.

[ginger899]

Well good luck for Finley. It is amazing how resilient dogs can be sometimes! You are doing the right thing...keeping a watchful eye on him for any changes. But hopefully, he will be OK now.