Even if your pet does not seem to be troubled by snacking on the seaside daisy, you should still make a trip to your veterinarian to be sure. There could be other underlying issues that cannot be seen until they become serious, such as gastrointestinal obstruction or infection from irritation to the soft tissue of the intestinal tract. Bring a picture or a sample from the seaside daisy to show the veterinarian and explain how much you think was ingested. You should definitely tell the veterinarian if your dog is on any medicine, whether it is over the counter or prescription, because some medicines may mask important signs of illness or injury. Take your pet’s medical records with you if you can and let the veterinarian know if you have seen any strange behavior or appetite since eating the plant.
The first thing your veterinarian will do is a complete and thorough physical evaluation of your pet. This may include weight, reflexes, pupil response time, blood pressure, oxygen level, coat and skin condition, breath sounds, respiration and pulse rate, body temperature, and examination of the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. In addition, diagnostic tests may be necessary to rule out other illnesses or injuries. These tests could include a stool sample analysis, urinalysis, glucose levels, blood gases, serum biochemical analysis, complete blood count (CBC), and packed cell volume (PCV).
The veterinarian may also need to do an endoscopy to determine whether there are any blockages in the throat and airway. This procedure will be done with an endoscope (a long and thin flexible tube), which has a light on the end to help the veterinarian see. The endoscope is hollow so the veterinarian can insert a tool to remove any foreign material and administer medication for irritation and swelling. Abdominal x-rays (digital radiographs) will be performed as well to check the rest of the digestive system. If the x-rays are inconclusive and your pet appears to be in distress, an MRI, ultrasound, or CT scan may be performed to get a better view.