Gastric foreign bodies happen when dogs and cats ingest foreign materials that will not pass through their gastrointestinal tract easily. These foreign bodies could be sharp or blunted items that fails to pass, including human food products such as bones or trash. The symptoms are varying according to:
- Duration that the foreign body stays in the gastrointestinal tract
- Location of the foreign body (Esophagus, Stomach, Intestine)
- Degree of obstruction
- Concurrent symptoms associated with foreign body itself.
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies can often lead to perforation of the intestinal tract and spillage of intestinal contents into the abdomen which considered life-threatening complications. While some small foreign bodies will pass, many will become lodged along the gastrointestinal tract causing discomfort and make your pet sick. Some foreign bodies located in the stomach may be retrieved with the use of an endoscope; however, most require surgical abdominal exploration and removal. Occasionally, foreign bodies will become lodged in the esophagus at the base of the heart or at the diaphragm, which may require thoracic (chest) surgery.
Symptoms vary from Inappetence, Vomiting, Diarrhea to dehydration and cardiovascular collapse
Treatment
- First approach is to try to remove the foreign body with Gastroscope
- Surgical approach (Gastrotomy, Enterotomy) was indicated in case of foreign objects that couldn’t be removed with endoscopy.
Case Study;
- Dilma and Oden, 2 and 5 years dogs, were admitted to our clinic with chronic vomiting, inappetence and bloody diarrhea.
- Blood screening revealed moderate dehydraion
- Normal Kidney and Liver functions.
- Radiographic examination showed ingested two foreign bodies inside the stomach
- Gastric foreign body removal was indicated using Videoenoscope (KarlStorz co.)
Post-surgical care:
- Anti-inflammatory, H2 blocker (Omeprazole) and Soft food was indicated for 10 days after gastroscopy
