Your Dog Ate A Sock & What You Should Do Next

Dogs often love to play with and sometimes eat things they shouldn’t such as a chicken bone or even a pair of socks. If you think your dog has swallowed a sock, it can become a serious issue if isn’t addressed immediately.

The most important thing you can do is to try to figure out when your dog ate the sock and then you can come up with a plan. Your vet can also help guide you through the process.

Immediate Steps if your dog ate a sock

If you have a large dog and the sock is small, your dog might vomit it up within a day or two. If this doesn’t happen, your dog might pass the sock naturally, so it’s best to monitor their stools closely for a few days. Check every bowel movement for any signs of the sock to see that the sock has passed through safely.

When You’re Unsure If Your Dog Ate a Sock

Some items are hard to see on an x-ray, and dogs sometimes swallow things without their owners noticing. Your vet might use an endoscope to examine the stomach. Intestinal obstructions are serious and may require surgery to remove the item. It might be the case that you didn’t even notice that your dog has an obstruction unless you see your dog swallow something he or she shouldn’t have.  This is why it's important to watch for signs like vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

Witnessing Your Dog Swallow a Sock

If you see your dog swallow a sock, take your dog to the vet immediately to see if the item can be removed with an endoscope, especially if your dog is small and the item is large. Once a sock reaches the intestines, it can swell up and get stuck which tends to complicate its removal and increases health risks for your dog.

Monitoring The Symptoms

If the sock passes through the digestive system smoothly, there’s usually no problem.

However, issues may arise, and are generally accompanied by the below symptoms:

·  Lethargy

·  Vomiting

· Loss of appetite

Monitor your dog closely and contact your vet if these symptoms appear. Continuous monitoring is crucial, as some complications can develop slowly and may not be immediately apparent.

When to Induce Vomiting (under your vet’s guidance)

If your dog swallowed a sock within the past two hours, you might induce vomiting under your vet’s guidance. Your vet might advise you to use hydrogen peroxide can be used for this purpose at a dosage of 1 milliliter per pound of the dog’s weight.

If vomiting doesn’t occur after 15 minutes, administer another dose. If this still doesn’t work, visit your vet. Always consult your vet before attempting this, as improper use can cause more harm.

Waiting for the Sock to Pass

If more than two hours have passed, wait for the sock to pass naturally. This approach is more suited to large dogs. Your vet may recommend x-rays to track the sock’s progress through the digestive system. It can take anywhere from 48 hours to several days for a dog to pass a sock.

As long as your dog is eating, active, and not exhibiting symptoms like vomiting or lethargy, they should be okay. Regular check-ins with your vet can help ensure there are no complications.

Surgical Removal

Surgery is the last resort and is usually recommended when there’s little chance of the sock passing naturally. Monitoring and x-rays will determine the sock’s location. If surgery is needed, follow your vet’s post-operative care instructions for a swift recovery.

Your vet might also give you some medication for your pup and recommend that you restrict your dog’s activities to prevent complications and ensure healing.

Final Advice  - Keep monitoring your dog

After your dog swallows a sock, persistent monitoring is important until the sock is out of your pup’s system. If your dog shows signs of distress like an inability to poop, diarrhea, or unprovoked vomiting, seek veterinary attention immediately. Quick action can prevent serious health issues and ensure that your dog recovers swiftly.

And, of course, it is important for you to take preventive measures to keep socks and other small items out of your dog’s reach. This can help you avoid such incidents in the future.