yorkie ate a coin?
 

My 3 month old 4 1/2 lb Yorkie may have eaten a coin. I was moving something on my cabinet and something fell. It sounded like metal. Before my eyes could even focus she (Abbie) ran like a streak of lightening over and I can only assume grabbed whatever it was and then ran. I chased her and she ran under the couch. By the time I got her out from under the couch, there was nothing there. There is nothing in the floor either. I am really worried. She is so quick! Should I give her something to pass it? peroxide to make her vomit? Please help!

I've heard of this happening before, and they say that peroxide is given only if they have ingested something that is poisonous. The problem with making her vomit a coin, it could come up, and choke her. I would call the vet tomorrow, and he'll probably have you watch the stools for several days. He might also recommend a special diet. It's important that she's having bowel movements and eating because if she's vomiting and doesn't poop, this could mean an obstruction. It is probably easiest to put the poop in a small baggie and squash it to see if you can locate the coin, it could take a week to come out, but you will feel better when you know for sure she has passed it. Best of luck! You might want to call an emergency vet, just to be safe.

Thank you for answering and for the plastic bag idea. We were to go for shots this week anyway. I will just take her early. Maybe they can xray her and see if she even swallowed anything. I did find an inkpen under the sofa. I don't think it makes the same sound on the floor though. It was dark in the room at the time. I can't be sure of anything. She is such a sweet, smart and loving little thing. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to her.

I've read of two yorkies swallowing coins, and both were fine, not knowing what it is she swallowed makes it harder. Some things with sharp points like a needle or straight pen could be very dangerous, other things with smooth edges, pass pretty easy. I know they often take things in their mouth, and decide they don't like them, and put them in another area for later.

From what I have heard, pennies are toxic to dogs. An x-ray may not be a bad idea since you will be at the vet anyhow.

I hope things go well. :)

Swallowing a penny used to be no big deal when they were copper. Now that they're mostly zinc, they're bad news if they don't pass quickly.

the chemical reaction between zinc and stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) is similar to that in wet cell batteries and would likely be caustic to the stomach lining. Apparently, when the penny became trapped in the boy's stomach, its zinc base reacted with stomach acid to produce hydrogen gas and zinc chloride (a major ingredient in the smoke from smoke bombs). According to O'Hara, this chemical reaction dissolved the zinc base of the coin, creating holes in the coin and ulcerations in the stomach lining. [...] While one penny is not typically enough to cause such systemic damage in a child, it can spell trouble for a pet. [...] Children and pets who swallow pennies should be monitored to ensure the coin passes. If it doesn't show up within two days or if the swallower starts having stomach problems, the child or animal should be taken to the doctor immediately.

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Yeah, Roger, the problem with the penny (according to my Vet Tech wife) is not the size, but the Zinc. She has seen several dogs die from Zinc toxicity, and others that have required surgery to remove a penny. Make sure you go and make sure your vet takes it seriously (mention Zinc toxicity if you must). Good luck!
posted by Rock Steady at 2:41 PM on January 26, 2006
Is my dog in any danger? | Ask Metafilter

I think I'd talk to the vet and go through the "what ifs" with them in case it was a pennny. Then you'll know what you should be watching for.

And another one:
Zinc Poisoning - VeterinaryPartner.com - a VIN company!

Not to alarm you unnecessarily but you may want to read this thread about another yorkie that swallowed a coin......this can be very serious.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...wed-penny.html

Very interesting, thank you!

I hope your puppy will be ok ! Watch the Poo's for any signs of the coin , and I think he will be ok, as long as their is not any vomiting or diarreha. :aimeeyork

Abbie is doing great
 

Thanks for your replies. I took Abbie to the vet the day after the ? swallowing episode. The xray showed no unusual objects in her stomach or bowel :) She did get her 3rd set of shots and doesn't seem quite as energetic as usual. Thanks again for your kind replies. We are sure crazy about her.

Oh, I'm so glad she didn't swallow anything. The quickest way to get Joey to come into a room was to drop something, for the first two years, this always got his attention. It's only the first year where it seems like they are tempted to eat everything that lands, so hopefully she will outgrow this. I know how easy it is to love they little guys.