Batteries have become so common in our everyday life -- in remote controls, smoke detectors, clocks, watches, dog toys, etc. -- that we hardly give them a thought until the dog chews up the remote control. Most batteries contain potassium hydroxide, which is a corrosive agent that causes ulcerations and burns in the oral cavity, especially on the tongue, in the esophagus, and on the skin. If severe scarring occurs, the dog may have difficulty eating and swallowing later on.

If a battery is missing, and you suspect your dog might have eaten it, call your veterinarian or poison control center immediately. If a dog ingests a battery, it’s important to know what kind it is and if it was ingested whole or into pieces.

Prevention is the best cure. Keep battery packages and battery-containing toys and accessories out of reach of pets. If your dog has any toys that make sounds, only permit him to play with them under supervision and take them away as soon as they are damaged in any way.