Can popcorn kernels cause an obstruction and make my dog sick?

Question

I own a 9 month old Pug who had started to have diarrhea and throwing up. I took him to the vet and they found a foreign object in him stomach. The object stayed in the stomach for 2 days and is now in the colon. The vet has had the dog for 2 days and claims that the object appears to have been rigid pieces of popcorn kernels. I am curious if it is plausible for this to be the cause of the obstruction? Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Male | neutered | 22 lbs

C. Rathjens, DVM · Accepted Answer

I'm so sorry that Whimbly is ill. Yes, almost anything indigestible (or very slowly digestible like how corn, bones, some chewable chew toys) can cause obstruction. It's also very very hard to determine what something is on x-rays alone because x-rays are literally looking a shadow of the object -- so your vet is just taking a guess at what is is there. It sounds like the object is on it's way to passing it's own, so you and Whimbly have been very lucky. Usually we have to do expensive, invasive surgery to remove foreign bodies from the intestines. Occasionally, the objects can move forward using IV fluids and medications to keep the gut healthy. It should pass fully in the next day or two. I hope Whimbly is feeling better soon!

Can popcorn kernels cause an obstruction and make my dog sick?

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