Did Your Dog Eat a Sock? Signs They Need Prompt Vet Care

There’s perhaps nothing faster than a dog swallowing a forbidden item upon hearing your calls to leave it. Sometimes, it’s stolen food, but other times, it’s something a lot more serious, like a sock! If your dog ate a sock, you might be worried that surgical vet care in Lawrence, Kansas, is in their near future. While that may very well be true, it’s best not to panic. There’s a chance they’ll pass the object on their own, so stay calm and simply watch for the following signs.

Starts Showing Signs of Illness

Since it’s made from fabric, socks absorb moisture as they attempt to move through the digestive tract. Once the material swells up, it could block the stomach or intestines, leaving your dog feeling rather under the weather.

So, watch them closely for any signs of illness, such as:

• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Straining to poop
• Tarry stools
• Lethargy

If you notice any of the above symptoms or their normal behavior changes in any way, get your dog to the vet for an exam.

Decrease in Food and Water Intake

If the dog starts refusing food or water after eating a sock, then it’s likely that the material is blocking its digestive tract. You’ll need to act fast to prevent dehydration and keep the blockage from getting worse, so zip into the vet upon noticing their decrease in food and water intake.

Sock Doesn’t Pass in 24 Hours

After your dog eats a sock, you must watch their poop closely to make sure it passes. If there’s still no sign of the sock after 24 hours, schedule a visit to the vet, so they can take a look. At that point, it’s likely stuck somewhere in the digestive tract and in need of surgical removal.

When in Doubt, Bring Your Dog in for an Exam

If you’re ever in doubt about how your dog is doing — whether they just ate a sock or not — feel free to call 785-841-1919 and schedule a visit at our Lawrence, Kansas, vet clinic. We will look over your dog from nose to tail and perform any imaging tests needed to see if they need additional care. We can then let you know just what’s going on and provide the info you need to make confident vet care decisions for your dog.