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My dog ate a pen, has diarrhea. Should I call vet or give Pepto?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 68 lbs

He partially ate a pen, has diarrhea but eating and drinking. Does he need to go to the vet? Can I give him peptobismal

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 29, 2018

Since Ace is a large dog, the pen fragments will likely pass naturally through his intestinal tract. You can give Ace some sauerkraut which is really good in wrapping around sharp foreign bodies and does not get digested very well. It passes through the intestinal tract with the fragments, so the danger of sharp fragments causing damage while passing is minimized. Do not give your dog Peptobismol. Should your dog start retching or stop having bowel movements or get lethargic you should take Ace to a vet immediately.
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