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Expert: - 2/18/2011


Question
Hi,
Three days ago our dog ripped open our compost bag (which usually contains stuff like food peels, scraps, left overs...). I caught her after she ripped open the bag, but I think before she ate to much. The bag still looked like it contained the same amount and I never would have guessed that she ate anything if I hadn't seen the bag ripped open and her breath smelled like human food.

For the past few days her poo has been slightly different. It is softer than usual and smells a lot more as well. It is getting slightly better. Should we continue to feed her her regular amount? She has two cups of Orijen Adult dog food (1/2 cup in the morning 1 cup in the afternoon 1/2 cup in the evening). Do you think that she will be alright, or does she need to see the vet for some medicine?

Her info:
Labrador Retriever, Female
3 years old
Weight: 60 pounds
Food: http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/products/adult.aspx

About what she ate: unknown amount, we think it was only a small amount of "compost"
When: 3 days ago


Thank you very much.
Violet

Answer
Since it's been three days, and she isn't vomiting and doesn't have diarrhea, it sounds like she will probably be okay.

Things to watch for would be vomiting, especially yellow bile, diarrhea, lethargy, distended stomach (that is an emergency).

One worries about a bacterial overgrowth (garbage intoxication) but she seems to have none of those symptoms.

When in doubt, call your local vet. Most of these things would have happened in the first 24 hours.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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