Dog owners, go ahead and stock up on some cotton balls (100% cotton only) to have around in case of an emergency. This page describes how inducing your dog to eat cotton balls after they've swallowed a sharp object can save his life, or at least forestall expensive, painful surgery. Apparently the cotton will wrap itself around the broken glass, sharp bone, or whatever, and carry it safely through to the other end. And though convincing a dog to eat cotton balls may not sound very easy, these people say that it's quite simple to do, just by soaking the balls in Half & Half (or cream, I imagine), or spreading them with liverwurst. I imagine I'd try peanut butter if I didn't have either of those.
If you ever do have occasion to try this (and let's hope you never do!), be sure to keep a close eye on your pup and rush him or her to the vet if you see blood in the stool, black, tarry stool, or other signs that your dog is in distress.
[this is good]
Posted by: Steffy | 07/07/2008 at 10:24 AM