What should I do if my dog swallowed a peach stone?

Have these ready when you call: your dog's weight, what kind of stone it was, roughly how big, whether it was chewed or swallowed whole, and when it happened. If you have a similar stone, measure it. A 3 cm (1 in) peach stone means something very different for a 5 kg (11 lb) dog than for a 40 kg (88 lb) one.

Stones do not break down in the gut. A stone that passes out of the stomach can lodge in the narrower small intestine, cutting off the passage of food and damaging the intestinal wall. Signs of a blockage can appear hours to several days later, so early advice helps your vet decide whether to act now or monitor.

Your vet may suggest an X-ray or ultrasound to locate the stone. Some stones show clearly, others do not, so a clinical exam and your description are just as important.

Watch for repeated vomiting, retching without producing anything, refusing food, drooling, a tense or painful belly, lethargy, and straining with little or no stool. A dog that normally greets you at the door and now stays in its bed is telling you something.

Cherry, apricot and peach stones that were chewed may also cause signs linked with cyanide, such as bright red gums or breathing difficulty.

Most stones are eaten from fruit bowls on low tables, kitchen bins, picnic litter and garden windfalls. Use lidded bins, clear fallen fruit, and remove stones before sharing any fruit with your dog.