Do you enjoy cuddling up with your dog and playing a few hours of video games? While many video game sessions go great, you may run into problems. What are some dangerous situations involving your dog and video games? Some problems may be harder to spot, and other ones require emergency care right away.
Follow this guide to discover more about specific issues and the steps you need to take to help your dog with their video game injuries.
Swallowing Batteries
As a gamer, you might leave a controller lying around between sessions. While we know the controller as our essential video game tool, a curious dog may look at the colorful piece of equipment as an exciting chew toy. One of the biggest dangers found in a controller are disposable batteries.
If a dog swallows a battery, then you need to visit an emergency vet as soon as possible. The size and shape of a battery can cause a blockage in the dog's system. As stomach acids surround the battery, this can cause the battery to leak out chemicals and dangerous acid. If your dog's tooth punctured a battery, then the acid may leak out faster, causing stomach ulcers.
A vet will work on eliminating the acid and removing the battery as quickly as possible. Time is a key factor in helping your dog. When you bring the dog in, the full exam and extraction process will typically take place while the dog is put under anesthesia. In some cases, a vet may need to surgically remove the battery.
After a dog has swallowed a battery, you may notice discomfort or a lack of appetite due to stomach pains. You should also examine the controller for other missing parts. A dog could have swallowed plastic buttons or rubber parts, which will only compound the problem.
The more information you have on the parts swallowed, the easier a vet can analyze x-rays and make a decision on the next steps forward.
Electrical Cord Bites
If you manage to keep your controller away from a curious dog, you could run into other problems with your console. A dangling electrical cord plugged into a socket could become an enticing chew toy for dogs. When the cord is actively plugged into the wall, your dog may suffer from an electrical shock.
Quick shocks may result in a small jolt of pain with no physical damage, but some power cords could create injuries for your pet. A dog will often yelp or whimper after the shock occurs. You should perform a quick physical exam to look for any injuries
One of the more obvious signs are physical burn marks on the jaws and lips. If possible, try to open your dog's mouth and look for any injuries or bleeding on the inside. A dog may showcase signs of pain by pawing their mouth or rubbing up against objects. If their breathing is labored or their normal activities change, you should take the dog to an emergency vet.
Seizures
In some cases, a dog's video game injuries may occur with no actions of their own. The audio and visual content in video games may result in seizures for dogs. Your dog may have a form of epilepsy that has not been diagnosed and results in reflex seizures.
A reflex seizure occurs in reaction to outside sources. In the case of video games, your dog may see scenes with bright flashing lights, or your dog may have heard loud and sudden noises coming from the game. The elements are not uncommon in action titles or first-person shooters.
When a dog goes through a reflex seizure, you may see various signs and symptoms. The dog may shake uncontrollably, force out bowel movements, or constantly smack their lips. When a seizure occurs, a medical appointment is recommended to help diagnose any problems and to help prevent future seizures.
You also want to ensure the seizure did not cause any internal or external damage.
Cord Tangles
A video game setup can quickly become a big mess as you hook up consoles, connect wired controllers, and have multiple people over to play games. For a dog, a video game setup can create an obstacle course they must navigate around. If a dog becomes tangled in cords, then they could pull muscles, dislocate bones, or even break a bone.
If an incident occurs, you do not want the injury to get worse and should seek treatment if your dog has trouble walking, limps, or expresses pain in any way. A vet will perform a full physical exam along with extra tests like x-rays. One only quick trip or odd move can result in pain for your dog.
Contact us at South Seattle Veterinary Hospital to find out more information about our emergency services. We will help treat your dog and restore their health when injuries and ailments occur.
