My Dog Ate a Maxi-Pad! Here’s What To Do (Vet Answers)

Although Maxi-pads are made from different types of materials, an average one is from bleached rayon and cotton. Dogs like Maxi-pads because of their menstrual discharge.

Dogs are known to raid kitchen trash cans, often because they are attracted to the smells of food leftovers. Dogs are attracted to organic waste, such as urine, feces, or blood, in a trashcan.

This is not a rare problem. Your dog is not the only one who has ever ingested Maxi-pads.

What Happens If A Dog Eats A Pad?

1. Observe Your Dogs Behaviour

You certainly will need to visit a veterinary clinic. First, examine your dog carefully and look out for signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. If your dog has trouble breathing, drooling excessively, or vomiting non-stop, you should immediately take it to the vet.

2. Clear The “Crime Scene”

Ensure you get rid of any trash and that your dog does not have access to it. This will enable you to conduct a thorough investigation. Note all details. For example, whether the Maxi-pad has been eaten whole or just a portion. The chances of a successful resolution are increased if you have as much detail as possible.

3. Note All Relevant Information

When did the dog consume the Maxi-pad? It is important to remember that the chances of resolving this problem are greater if foreign objects like the Maxi-pad are removed quickly.

Maxi-pad sizes and brand composition vary widely. Some Maxi pads can be 2x larger than others and may contain more absorbent polymers. Bring a pad similar to the one you are using and a package with the chemical ingredients. This will give your vet valuable information.

4. Evaluate The Size Of Your Dog To The Size Of The Ingested Pad

Maxi-pads ingested can pose a major concern because the absorbent polymers may get moistened by the gastric juices and expand in your dog’s stomach. Maxi-pads can get stuck in dogs’ esophagus while they are trying to vomit.

WARNING! Inducing vomiting is not recommended without the supervision of a veterinarian. Maxi-pads are “safer” for larger dogs and more dangerous for small dogs.

5. Stay Calm And Contact Your Vet

Continue to watch your dog as you make your way to the clinic.

Is My Dog Safe After Eating A Pad?

Maxi pads come in various sizes and are made from different materials, meaning each case will have a unique management plan. There have been several cases of large dog breeds passing Maxi pads in their feces. However, this risk is too high.

Maxi-pad ingestion can also pose a danger to your dog. Maxi-pad ingestion can be dangerous to your dog. It is a good idea to contact your veterinarian and provide all pertinent information. Follow the instructions carefully, then bring your dog with you for consultation.

Potential Dangers Of Eating Maxi-Pad

Maxi-pads contain indigestible materials. If this material reaches the intestines, there is a risk of intestinal obstruction or blockage, infection due to abnormal bacteria build-up, intestinal necrosis leading to peritonitis (a dangerous abdominal infection), and other complications. Even if your dog appears normal, it could change over the next few days. Even if your dog appears fine, it is a good idea to see your veterinarian immediately.

Some people might find Maxi-pad-ingestion a little taboo. However, as we mentioned earlier, Maxipad-ingestion is quite common in dogs. Your veterinarian may have dealt with similar cases in the past. Please don’t be shy, as it is important to communicate as much information with your veterinarian as possible to help your veterinarian properly treat your dog. Your veterinarian and dog will benefit from having as many details as possible.

At the Veterinary Clinic: Treatment, Diagnosis & Procedures
Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will evaluate the case. If the Maxi-pad size was smaller, the solution might be as simple as administering an injection to make Maxi-pad go away.

The veterinarian may need to examine the abdomen if the Maxi-pad is larger and may require X-rays or abdominal ultrasound. Although Maxi-pads can be difficult to see using ultrasound or X-rays, a veterinarian might be able to identify the Maxi-pad’s location by looking at an abnormal pattern.

The veterinarian will decide whether it is safe to inject vomit or not based on your information, the patient’s evaluation, and any abnormal patterns. A gastroscopy is performed, and with the help of special tools, the veterinarian can see the contents of the dog’s stomach and remove them.

Treatments & Procedures

Gastroscopy

General anesthesia is used to perform gastroscopy. The tube is passed through the dog’s mouth and the esophagus and reaches the stomach. A gastroscopy can be considered an invasive medical procedure, but it is safe and fast. A gastroscopy does not require an incision, so recovery is quicker and easier than surgery.

Contrast X-Ray

Your veterinarian may discover that Maxi-pads have reached the intestines after performing X-rays and ultrasounds.

Your veterinarian may recommend that your dog be administered a contrast medium (such as barium sulfate) to assess how the contrast medium moves through the intestinal tract. A series of abdominal X-rays will also be taken to check intestinal motility.

Other Options

Suppose there is no evidence of intestinal obstruction. In that case, your veterinarian may recommend that your dog be given mineral oil orally to aid the pad in its passage through the intestinal tract. The Maxi-pad can move through the intestines thanks to the mineral oil. The vet might also give active charcoal to absorb any chemicals in Maxi-pad’s products.

If your veterinarian notices that the Maxipad is moving and there aren’t any signs of complications, they may send your dog home. They will ask you to keep an eye on the dog until it passes out the Maxipad. You should closely monitor your dog’s behavior, energy, and appetite.

If your dog is not defecating as usual or if you notice the following symptoms, immediately take him to the vet.

• Lethargy
• Insatiable appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Swollen abdomen
• Fever

Be aware of other signs such as a snarling voice, trying to bite, or if your hand touches the abdomen. Also, some dogs will extend their front legs while sitting.

Is My Dog Required To Stay At The Clinic For The Night?

The vet might require your dog to spend the day in the clinic to receive intravenous fluids and pain management medications. He will also need to be closely watched while waiting for Maxi-pad to pass with the feces. He might request follow-up X-rays or ultrasound studies to ensure everything is in order. He may also want to take a blood sample. Your dog might be kept by the doctor for observation until Maxi-pad with feces is removed.

Surgery may be required if the following-up tests show signs of inflammation, obstruction, or infection. General anesthesia is used to perform the surgery to remove the Maxipad from the dog’s intestines. Although this surgery is quite common in dogs, it can be more difficult and pose a greater risk to their health. Your veterinarian may need to remove some of the dog’s intestines if they have been damaged.

Time Is Everything

As you can see, a Maxipad-ingestion case for a dog can be very simple or complicated. It is important to remember that pushing for a veterinary visit in hopes that the dog will vomit the Maxi-pad or pass it out will only increase the likelihood of complications.

Due to the natural anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract and physiology, the risk is higher the longer the time between the incident and the consultation. The likelihood of a higher medical bill due to more procedures and medications will increase exponentially if you wait longer. Keep calm if your dog eats Maxi-pads. Get information and see your veterinarian immediately.