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If you know or strongly suspect your pet ingested a foreign body that is causing illness, this is considered an \u201cORANGE\u201d \u2013 or urgent case \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend having your pet see your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital within the next 12 hours. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Note that a foreign body ingestion with no signs of illness is considered a \u201cYELLOW\u201d \u2013 or semi-urgent case \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend having your pet evaluated by your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital within 24 hours. Call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you, and if your pet begins to show signs of illness, call the team back to inform them of the status change.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The <\/span>grill<\/span><\/a> is on, filling the air with delicious scents as the platters and plates on the patio table get piled high with everyone\u2019s favorite picnic foods. And of course, your dog is running up to everyone, utilizing those puppy eyes to get in on the summer feast!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, many of our classic summer foods aren\u2019t safe for our pets. <\/span>Grapes<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>onions<\/span><\/a>, condiments and sugar-free desserts that contain <\/span>xylitol<\/span><\/a>, macadamia <\/span>nuts<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>chocolate<\/span><\/a> are all examples of <\/span>foods that are toxic to our pets<\/span><\/a>. Then there are the foods that aren\u2019t quite toxic, but are hazardous such as meat bones, peach pits, and everyone\u2019s go-to: corn on the cob!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You are absolutely correct! Corn is not toxic to our pets \u2013 in fact, it\u2019s perfectly safe, and plain corn is often used in DIY dog treat recipes. Keep in mind though that anything with butter and salt isn\u2019t safe for pets, as it can lead to pancreatitis!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The danger here though isn\u2019t the corn kernels. The real issue is the corn cob itself. During the summer, corn cobs are one of the most common causes of GI obstructions in pets we see in our ER!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When swallowed by your dog, those large chunks of corn cob can cause a blockage in the stomach or small intestine. This can lead to disrupted blood flow, resulting in systemic inflammation or infection, <\/span>organ failure, and eventual<\/span>ly,<\/span> death.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Common symptoms of a blockage include:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Typically, symptoms occur within 24 hours post-<\/span>ingestion,<\/span> but that period can vary based on the severity and location of the blockage. Symptoms may appear even sooner if the blockage is in the stomach rather than the distal small intestine.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When a pet arrives at our ER after consuming a corn cob, treatment depends on the answer to one question: Is the corn cob still in the stomach, or has it lodged in the intestine?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If the cob pieces are still in the stomach, our ER team can induce vomiting. However, if the cob pieces have already moved into the small intestine, inducing vomiting could be dangerous and cause damage to the intestinal lining or even perforate the bowel.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Instead, the pet will need aggressive supportive care with IV fluids and anti-nausea medication to move the cob pieces into the colon to naturally exit the body. X-rays or an ultrasound would be needed to ensure all pieces were defecated. If this is unsuccessful, emergency surgery is needed to remove the cob pieces.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Note: We do not advise pet parents inducing vomiting at home. Learn why <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The best way to avoid this emergency is to prevent your pet from getting access to corn cob<\/span>s<\/span> in the first place! <\/span>So, please save yourself an expensive vet bill and follow these best practices:<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this serves as an important summer reminder to keep corn cobs out of your pet\u2019s reach! If your pet does eat any amount of cob<\/span> pieces<\/span>, our Oak<\/span>dale and St. Paul animal ERs are both open 24\/7. Please call ahead of your arrival.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And remember, if you <\/span>aren\u2019t<\/span> sure which pet is the culprit \u2013 bring them all in and our team will <\/span>launch a thorough investigation<\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n
\nWhat…But Corn <\/span>Isn\u2019t<\/span> Toxic!?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow is a Cob Dangerous?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Common Symptoms<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nTreatment<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nPrevention<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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