Face masks are helpful in preventing the spread of COVID-19. But as one unlucky dog recently discovered, they can pose serious health risks for our four-legged friends.
Gibbs, a curious pup in Massachusetts, found himself in the operating room after eating a paper face mask. The mask had become lodged in his digestive track, causing a life-threatening obstruction that required emergency surgery, the Animal League of Boston said in a press release.
Gibbs is back to himself and expected to make a full recovery. But as face masks become common, they’re likely to cause similar complications in other pets.
“Some dogs are notorious for eating inappropriate items, with Labrador Retrievers being the poster children for this issue,” says Dr. Lauren Jones, a veterinarian in the Philadelphia area. “Socks and underwear are some of the more common items, and face masks fall under the same general umbrella – small clothing items that smell like people.”
Dogs who have medical issues that cause pica – a disorder characterized by eating non-food items – or certain behavioral disorders are more at risk of ingesting face masks and clothing, adds Jones.
While large dogs may pass foreign items in their bowel movements, smaller pups are more likely to suffer an intestinal blockage.
“When a blockage occurs, food and water cannot enter the stomach and intestinal tract,” says Jones. “This condition is a life-threatening emergency because sepsis can occur when material does not move normally through the intestines.”
If you suspect your dog has eaten a face mask, gloves, or other questionable item, call your veterinarian immediately, advises Jones.
Within an hour or so of ingestion, your veterinarian will likely induce vomiting to prevent a blockage. Outside of this window, the material will have passed the stomach, so your dog will be monitored for signs of an obstruction.
Signs of an intestinal blockage include:
- Vomiting
- Reduced or absent appetite
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
Disposable face masks and gloves can cause similar complications in wildlife. For this reason, it’s important to discard of them in covered trashcans, advises the Animal League of Boston.
Photos: Animal League of Boston