URGENT - dog i'm housesitting may of eaten sheet metal screws?

[SunnyNJazzy]

I came home at lunch to the 2 dogs I'm house sitting (a chocolate lab and a golden retriever/poodle cross) who had been in the garage. The lab shredded a bag that contained a large variety of small packs of sheet metal screws (screws with flat ends NO POINTS) and from what I can tell it appears he may of eaten a few (but I honestly have no idea what was or wasn't in this bag) there was also a wrapper and crumbs from a fire starter... He seems to be acting totally normal, do I need to be concerned? things to watch for? his parents are coming home on Wednesday but are out of cell service until then....

Thank you!!

 

[poodlesmom]

To be honest I'd be more concerned about the him possibly eating the firestarter. I'd at least give the vet's office a call and follow their recommendation.

 

[Beanie]

To be honest I'd be more concerned about the him possibly eating the firestarter. I'd at least give the vet's office a call and follow their recommendation.

Agreed, I think there are chemicals involved with those... definitely call the vet and ask their advice.

 

[SunnyNJazzy]

I have a call into the office, waiting to hear back, do you think it would be beneficial to induce vomiting or just wait to see what the vet says?

 

[Kat09Tails]

What kind of firestarter is it? That would be my major concern as well.

 

[SunnyNJazzy]

from the wrapping that is left all I can tell is it was a firestarter log made of 100% renewable resources, says is "compressed fuel", its from safeway... it was one of those bricks that looks like its compressed wood pieces etc. and the crumbs are kind of waxy feeling. From what I've googled most bricks like that are not toxic but I can not find the specific one they had

 

[stardogs]

Do NOT induce vomiting if it's possible the firestarter contains petroleum products - they are caustic.

 

[SunnyNJazzy]

ok good to know!

 

[JessLough]

Yah, firestarter is definitely the huge concern. Did they leave you a credit card or anything for emergencies?

 

[yoko]

Have you heard from the vet yet?

 

[SunnyNJazzy]

They didn't leave me any cards, just a vet to call. Not I haven't :-( The receptionist said she wouldn't be back until 3:30ish... I've tried calling and sending a text to the owners in hopes of them getting service at some point...

 

[yoko]

I'd call a different vet

 

[Kat09Tails]

Call your vet?

 

[SaraB]

Call a different vet, don't induce vomiting in case he ingested the screws, they will cause damage to the esophagus on the way back up.

 

[SunnyNJazzy]

Managed to contact the owner he said to simply watch and wait if he becomes distressed/obviously in trouble take him... ugh I'm not thrilled with the answer but I can't really go against his wishes. Vets that I got ahold of said they would do bloodwork, IV fluids and xrays to see what he ingested etc... here's hoping everything turns out ok. :-(

 

[yoko]

If it's the firestarter stuff that I have aside from maybe not being fun to poop out it should be ok. I have the cheapo kind that's basically like super fine ground wood chips. I'd definitely be worried about screws though if he did swallow them.

 

[SunnyNJazzy]

here's hoping that's the case, when I get home from work I will look closer at the screws that I found and try to match them to the bag (there was even a receipt so I can confirm) and see if it looks like he ate anything or not...

 

[yoko]

Is he doing ok?

 

[SunnyNJazzy]

He is doing well, guess he's got a tough stomach, he's acting totally fine, been playing with the other dogs, eating/drinking, does seem a bit constipated though... He's extremely allergic to grains so can't give him bread to help pass anything...

 

[alansteve777]

To be honest I'd be more concerned about the him possibly eating the firestarter. I'd at least give the vet's office a call and follow their recommendation.

Yeah.. they will give good suggestion.. .