Ask Dr Fiona

I think my puppy just ate a small piece of glass that was on the floor from a broken jar. She seems fine but should I get her checked out? What signs should I look for if she’s not alright?

It may be safer to let the glass pass instead of trying to get your puppy to vomit it back up. There is greater risk of injury when vomiting something sharp (such as glass or a needle).

If your puppy is not showing obvious signs of immediate discomfort (gagging, pawing at the throat or mouth) is may be best to just monitor her. You can give some bread or mashed potatoes to help the glass pass through the gastrointestinal tract safely.

Signs to watch out for that may indicate you need to seek further veterinary advice include:

  • Lethargy
  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Blood in the faeces OR black tarry faeces
  • Problems defecating

Any of these symptoms may indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract and your puppy could require veterinary care or even surgery.

If you’d like to chat in person, you can get a vet within minutes on a live video call or start a text chat to discuss in more detail.

We’re here to help!

Chat soon,
Dr Fi