Your vet might also perform X-rays to check for a GI obstruction. This typically involves checking cobalamin and folate levels and doing a TLI test to check for pancreatic function. These tests will also help rule out diseases like anemia, diabetes, and thyroid problems.ĭepending on the symptoms your pet displays, more specific bloodwork might be required to test nutrient absorption in the digestive tract. To figure out if the condition is caused by a medical issue, your veterinarian may need to perform bloodwork, urinalysis, and test samples of your dog’s stool in order to check for liver disease, and the presence of parasites. Although it may be easy to confirm that your dog has pica, determining the disorder's underlying cause is more challenging. In general, pica is diagnosed through the behavior itself. In severe cases, pica can result in infection - especially if the ingested items are dirty or contaminated (such as feces) - or poisoning if they were to consume something toxic. If the object is blocking the respiratory tract, your pet might cough or sneeze frequently. More serious health complications include a blockage of the intestines and internal ulcerations, which symtpoms can include: Ingestion of a foreign object can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) irritation with symptoms such as: However, there’s a number of secondary symptoms that may be caused by the disorder, which can vary depending on the item consumed. The classic sign of pica in dogs is eating non-food objects. Other common reasons include depression, lack of physical or mental stimulation, and attention-seeking. In some cases, pica can be a side effect of medications, such as anti-seizure drugs and steroids.īehavioral pica, also called stress eating, is most often caused by boredom, anxiety (especially separation anxiety), and stress.
Pica can also be a result of anemia, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, stomach tumors, neurological issues, and teething (in puppies). Diseases of maldigestion and malabsorption.
Parasitic infections (such as tapeworms and hookworms).Endocrine diseases (like diabetes and thyroid disease).The most common medical conditions that trigger pica in canines include: The cause of pica disorder can be either physiological (due to an underlying medical condition) or psychological (purely behavioral). The disorder is also more common in female dogs. Some dog breeds are more prone to pica, such as Labrador Retrievers. This habit is more common in nursing dogs who tend to eat their puppies' excrement, but often carries over into adult dogs and is particularly hard to break. Pica is different from coprophagia, or the ingestion of feces. Pica can be dangerous to your dog’s health because the items they swallow can be toxic or get lodged in their throat and intestinal tract. In general, dogs with pica tend to favor items that carry their owner’s scent, such as underwear, socks, towels, and pantyhose. Some pups might only eat one type of item, whereas others will eat a variety of different objects, like dirt, rocks, books, balls wet wipes, and more. Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the urge to eat objects that are not food.
#Pica disorder pro
Pro Tip: You can never eliminate the risk of foreign body ingestion, but by getting pet insurance before a problem occurs, you can protect yourself and your dog should the unimaginable happen.
Read on to find out more about pica in dogs, including the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more. If your dog is one of them, they might have a condition called pica.īut what exactly is pica disorder? Should you be worried if your dog has pica, and are there ways to stop them from eating things they shouldn’t? Is your dog eating dirt, rocks, or something they aren’t supposed to? Maybe they like to indulge in the garbage, grass, or even poop? When it comes to eating, our canine companions can have somewhat strange, even disgusting habits and will happily gulp down items that seem inedible.
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