He was in the park yesterday afternoon and stole a puppy's plastic squeaky ball, about the size of a tennis ball and very squishy... He was running around squeaking it for ages, trying to get other dogs/humans to chase him, and I just couldn't catch him to get it off him.

And then he swallowed it.

After massive panic I managed to find our vet's number (STUPID me for not having it saved on my phone) and the vet said to just leave him and hope that nature takes its course and it comes out of one end or the other. If there's no sign of it in a couple of days, or he shows any sign of discomfort, to take him straight in for an op to remove it.

I am so sick with worry. I find it hard to believe that it will go through him because it was pretty big, and had a squeaker inside it. But surely if he was going to vomit it up he would have done so by now?

He's eating and acting completely normally, except for a big burp this morning. He's done two poos.

I don't think there's anything I can do except follow the vet's advice and wait, but I just wondered if anyone else's dog has done something similar, and what the outcome was? And if he does manage to pass it, surely something that size will do damage going through him? He's a very small cocker spaniel.

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How horribly worrying; it's going to be a long wait on poo watch . Kilo has never swallowed a ball, but did manage a largish piece of sponge when he was pretty young. It came out without any problems - and made a magic, expanding poo .

Really hope that nature manages to sort this and you don't need to go to the vet xx.

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Poor Sherlock, that sounds quite a big ball to swallow for a dog his size, I'm not surprised you are worried!
If it is really squishy then that's why the vet said to wait I expect but if you aren't happy you could speak to the vet again. Don't know what else you could do..
Good luck

Like those who have posted before can only say the same, take the vets advise and see if nature takes it course! That said if he looks of seems off colour sick, unable to go to the toilet or disressed you don't need anyone to tell you get back on to the vet sharpish!

There was a dog in the paper a couple of years back - from somewhere in scotland - a weimaraner that lived near a golfcourse! That dog had problems, and when the vet operated, according to the newspapers, 13 golf balls WERE removed from the dogs stomach!

Hope all goes well for Sherlock x

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I think that's every owners nightmare. Poor kid. I hope nature takes it's course soon and Sherlock's none the worse for the experience.

Wow, 13 golf balls, that's horrible! I suppose that's the only 'good' thing about this situation - at least I saw him swallow it so I can make sure I keep a close eye on him and get him straight to the vet if he doesn't seem right.

Thanks for letting me know about the sponge, Dogless. Hopefully this ball is squishy enough to get through too. Poor Sherlock, although I really really hope he can pass it, I can't imagine it will be painless...

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Any news at all?

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How's Sherlock?

A good thing - the small metal reed in the squeaker will show up on the X-Ray if there is need to operate.

Nothing...

He's still acting completely normally - eating, crapping, happy and lively as ever, while I'm having repeated dreams about this damn ball.

The vet's giving me a call back today, so I'll get some more advice then.

I'll let you know...! In the meantime, it's back to holding my breath when he squats for a poo, desperately hoping I see a flash of yellow, and heart thumping moments whenever he stretches, wondering if it's a sign of discomfort or a blockage...

While the cause of this worry just wonders what all the fuss is about

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