![]() In addition, certain antidepressants may be prescribed in an attempt to curb the problem. ![]() For severe cases, your vet may recommend a muzzle for when you are not able to actively monitor your dog. Limit access to any non-food items, and ensure that any dog toys are too large to be easily ingested. You’ll basically be baby-proofing your home. If, however, the pica is a bad habit, you’ll need to practice proper prevention. This extends to both bodily and neurological issues. If your vet finds that the issue is with an underlying medical issue, he or she will be able to resolve the issue with medication to treat the condition. Your vet will also most likely do a complete blood panel, and if recent ingestion is suspected, x-rays to ensure that no foreign bodies are present in your dogs GI tract. In most cases, this will include a general exam in addition to taking a complete medical history complete with any medications your dog may be taking. As we covered earlier in this post, pica can be cause by a variety of medical conditions, both physical and mental, so it’s vital for your vet to give your dog a complete and thorough workup to determine what underlying conditions might be cause the problem. The first step in treating pica is to take your dog to the vet immediately. ![]() The only real symptom of pica itself is the act of eating foreign objects, however eating these objects can lead to secondary symptoms that you should be especially aware of if your dog is a known foreign object eater. Outside of the major symptom of pica, which is eating foreign objects, you may see other physical signs that your dog has been eating foreign objects. In all cases, the cause needs to be addressed immediately as part of a course of action designed to stop the behavior before it can cause major health issues. These causes range from malnutrition to instinct. LOVE DOGS? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, HERE! What is Pica in Dogs? Cause of Pica in Dogs So let’s take a look at pica, the symptoms, and what to do about it. It’s a dangerous condition because it can lead to gastrointestinal upset, as well highly dangerous problems like intestinal blockage or perforation. Pica in dogs means that they purposely ingest objects. That’s just a way for your pooch to pass the time. This is not to be confused with a dog getting a hold of your hair brush or sneaker and thoroughly mangling it. Pica is a condition in which dogs crave – and eat – non-food items, like rocks and plastic. This will assist the veterinarian in developing a proper treatment plan.What is Pica in dogs? It’s actually a common condition in dogs. If it is not due to a medical condition, the veterinarian will conduct a full history on the dog, including its diet and appetite, handling practices, and information about its environment. A full physical examination will be recommended to rule out underlying medical causes. Your veterinarian will be looking to distinguish between medical and behavioral causes. In addition, a dog may eat feces as a response to recent punishment, to get attention or because it desires to clean its environmental area As such, puppies may eat feces as an observation of the mother's behavior or as part of exploration. ![]() Mothers with newborns will also commonly eat the feces of their newborns. Sometimes a dog will eat their feces if there are undigested articles of food in their stool. Parasites can be another of the causes for this behavior. There are several possible causes of dogs eating feces or other non-food items, including malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, increased appetite, or conditions such as diabetes, or thyroid disease. There may be weakness and lethargy in the dog. You may notice that the dog is vomiting, has loose stools, or has diarrhea. The largest organ system that is affected by this behavior is the gastrointestinal tract, especially if foreign objects are being swallowed. You may observe the dog eating dirt, clay, rocks, soap, or other items that can endanger the dog’s health. ![]() WATCH: WHY DO DOGS EAT GRASS VIDEO Symptoms and Types If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library. The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. Fortunately, there are treatment options in these types of cases, or behavior modification practices that can be implemented if it is a non-medical issue. Generally, neither of these conditions are the result of an underlying disease, however, it can occur. Coprophagia, meanwhile, is the eating and ingesting of feces. Pica is a medical issue referring to a dog's craving of a non-food item and the subsequent eating of said item. ![]()
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