My dog ate some guitar humidifier. Should I take her to the vet?
September 7, 2015 8:33 AM Subscribe
About half an hour ago I saw my dog lounging in the liner of my guitar case, and I thought, aw, how cute. Then I saw that she had been chewing, and swallowing small amounts of my Herco HE360 guitar humidifier.
She had managed to get through maybe one-tenth of the clay material, so 1-2 teaspoons of it. It seems that most of the clay material ended up inside the case, as opposed to in her stomach, but still I wonder about her welfare.
All the sites I could google about the guitar humidifier say that it's "clay material." Clay, like nearly all substances, is commonly eaten by dogs and it's ok in small doses, but I'm worried there might be something else in this clay material that could seriously threaten my dog's health. The label on the bottom of the humidifier didn't have any warnings about not ingesting the material, but it is a hard clay and it seems this circumstance is unlikely to arise. She seems presently ok, but should I be worried? She's only 17 pounds.
She had managed to get through maybe one-tenth of the clay material, so 1-2 teaspoons of it. It seems that most of the clay material ended up inside the case, as opposed to in her stomach, but still I wonder about her welfare.
All the sites I could google about the guitar humidifier say that it's "clay material." Clay, like nearly all substances, is commonly eaten by dogs and it's ok in small doses, but I'm worried there might be something else in this clay material that could seriously threaten my dog's health. The label on the bottom of the humidifier didn't have any warnings about not ingesting the material, but it is a hard clay and it seems this circumstance is unlikely to arise. She seems presently ok, but should I be worried? She's only 17 pounds.
Response by poster: They are closed for Labor Day.
posted by Luminiferous Ether at 9:08 AM on September 7, 2015
posted by Luminiferous Ether at 9:08 AM on September 7, 2015
Best answer: It isn't free, but the ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline is very helpful in circumstances like these. If your dog is microchipped through Home Again, you can use the service for free by calling through Home Again's line.
posted by MeadowlarkMaude at 9:16 AM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by MeadowlarkMaude at 9:16 AM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I would be unconcerned. If there were anything very toxic about the clay in there they'd put a warning label or notice of some kind on it or the website. This is America and the children of litigious parents eat everything. If it weren't pretty inert, there would be something saying keep out of reach of children.
So I'm in the camp that this is just clay, she ate a very small amount of it, and she's going to be fine. Maybe with a chalky poop several hours from now. Just make sure she's well hydrated.
posted by phunniemee at 9:25 AM on September 7, 2015
So I'm in the camp that this is just clay, she ate a very small amount of it, and she's going to be fine. Maybe with a chalky poop several hours from now. Just make sure she's well hydrated.
posted by phunniemee at 9:25 AM on September 7, 2015
I would be worried that, like clay cat litter, it could absorb water in her system and block her intestines. Be very sure that she is eating and pooping appropriate amounts.
posted by desjardins at 12:40 PM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by desjardins at 12:40 PM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jaguar at 9:03 AM on September 7, 2015