09/02/2026
Case of the day!
🐾 Meet Coco — professional toy destroyer and part-time toy eater.
This is Coco, a Frenchie who apparently got a little TOO frisky with her Wubba toy. She decided that simply playing with it wasn’t enough… so she took things a step further and ate the legs.
A few days later, Coco’s owners called us to let us know that she had eaten part of her toy. They were understandably concerned and wanted to know what the next step should be. Based on Coco’s size, the type of toy, and the fact that it had been a few days, we recommended that she come in so we could evaluate her. We started with a thorough exam and decided that X-rays were the next step to see if we could determine where the toy was, especially since it had not passed. And this is where Coco got VERY lucky. Her X-rays showed that the toy was still sitting in her stomach, even after several days! Because the toy was still in the stomach and Coco was otherwise an appropriate candidate, we were able to induce vomiting and retrieve the toy without needing surgery. And yes… we got the legs back. Coco is now back to doing what she does best being a Frenchie and keeping her humans on their toes.
🐾 PLEASE CHECK YOUR PETS’ TOYS & THEIR SURROUNDINGS! 🐾
Foreign body blockages can happen SO quickly, especially with dogs who love to chew, shred, or swallow things they shouldn’t.
🚨 Signs that could indicate a blockage include:
•Vomiting or repeated attempts to vomit, Excessive drooling or lip licking
•Not wanting to eat or suddenly losing their appetite
•Lethargy or acting unusually quiet
•Abdominal pain, tenderness, or a hunched posture; Restlessness or seeming uncomfortable
•Diarrhea or difficulty passing stool, Straining to p**p or not p**ping normally
The important takeaway: If you know or suspect that your pet has swallowed a toy, sock, piece of clothing, trash, or another foreign object, don’t assume it will pass on its own. What happens next depends on the size and type of object, where it is located, how long it has been there, and how your pet is doing.
If you notice a toy, object, or piece of something is missing and your dog may have swallowed it, don’t wait for symptoms to become severe. Give us a call we are more than happy to help!
🏥 WHAT CAN VETERINARY MEDICINE DO?
This first step would be to complete a thorough physical exam and abdominal evaluation. From there we have the option to move forward with diagnostics such as x rays or ultrasound that might more definitely diagnose the foreign body. If we confirm the diagnosis then treatment options range from hospitalization to endoscopy to full surgery depending on the object and location.
🚨 Please don't wait for your pet to become severely ill before calling your veterinarian. If you know or strongly suspect that your dog swallowed a foreign object let us know. Some objects can cause serious damage to the intestines, and early intervention can make a big difference.
“They seem fine” doesn’t always mean everything is fine. Pets can hide signs of illness, especially early on.
Take a few minutes today to inspect those toys, secure those trash cans, pick up tempting objects, and notice if anything is suddenly missing. A little prevention can go a LONG way toward keeping our pets out of the operating room. ❤️
