If your dog has an intestinal blockage, they will need to be hospitalized and undergo surgery to have the item removed. Medical conditions causing pica need to be treated thoroughly in order to help your dog. Treatment of Pica in Dogsĭepending upon the underlying cause of pica, it is possible to cure this condition. The cause of pica might be difficult to identify in some dogs, and can be a source of frustration not only for both pet parent and veterinarian. Once all medical conditions have been ruled out as the cause of pica, behavioral conditions are then diagnosed as the underlying cause.
#Pica etiology how to
Most non-food items ingested by a dog can be seen on an x-ray of the abdomen that includes the stomach and intestines.Īn X-ray will also help determine if your dog has an obstruction from the object they ingested, and to determine how to remove the item. If inflammatory bowel disease or conditions of the pancreas are suspected, your vet will need to do more blood testing, in addition to an abdominal ultrasound. These tests will be able to diagnose some underlying medical conditions. Your dog’s veterinarian will do a complete physical examination and will recommend lab work, including a complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry profile, fecal check, and a urinalysis to assess your dog after ingesting a non-food item. Pica can occur with the following medical conditions:
Dogs on steroid medications such as prednisone or anti-seizure medications like phenobarbital often have an insatiable appetite, which can lead to pica.īoth anemia (low iron) and medical conditions can prevent a dog from absorbing nutrients from their food, often causing them to eat soil, clay, and dirt. Pica is also considered an attention-seeking behavior and can result from lack of socialization with humans or other dogs. While certain breeds like Labradors are more naturally prone to pica, dogs that have high energy but do not get enough exercise or stimulation often choose to ingest non-food items. Dogs with separation anxiety commonly chew and ingest items when their owners are not around. Coprophagia is also common in young puppies, but it is a behavior they typical grow out of as they age. In nursing female dogs, pica is common and is considered normal, because the mother will ingest the feces of her puppy when she licks around the anus to stimulate a bowel movement. The most common form of pica in dogs is coprophagia, which is the ingestion of feces. Pica can be the result of an illness, parasites, or a nutritional deficiency, but it is more often due to a mental health condition such as boredom, depression, anxiety, or extreme hunger. Tenesmus (straining to have a bowel movement)īlue/purple mucous membranes in the mouth Common clinical signs associated with pica (besides ingestion of a non-food item) include: This compulsive ingestion can lead to ulcers and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, in addition to the possibly of a serious obstruction of the stomach or intestines. You may catch your dog eating a non-food item, which can be the first sign of pica in dogs. If you see or suspect your dog may have eaten a non-food item, contact your veterinary immediately. Ingesting these items can be very dangerous and it puts your dog at risk for toxicity, choking, stomach upset, or even a life-threatening gastrointestinal blockage. Pica is typically considered a psychological, obsessive-compulsive habit, but it can be the result of a medical condition or poor nutrition. Some dogs will consume any non-food item they come in contact with, but others will choose the same type of item every time.
Due to a dog’s ability to detect their pet parents’ scent, items such as underwear, socks, pantyhose, towels, and wet wipes are particular favorites. Metal, plastic, cloth, garbage, rocks, paper, dirt, and feces are common non-nutritional items that dogs with pica ingest. A dog needs to ingest the item-not just chew on it-for it to be considered pica. Pica is a common condition where a dog consistently eats objects that are not food items.
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