Case Study

Intestinal foreign body in a 9 year old MN German Shepherd dog

A 9-year-old MN German Shepherd dog was presented at an emergency referral hospital for anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, dehydration, and lethargy. Recent blood work showed elevated HCT, leukocytosis, elevated BUN, a Na/K ratio of 26, and hyperphosphatemia.

A 9-year-old MN German Shepherd dog was presented at an emergency referral hospital for anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, dehydration, and lethargy. Recent blood work showed elevated HCT, leukocytosis, elevated BUN, a Na/K ratio of 26, and hyperphosphatemia.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Image 1: Obstruction, severe diffuse intestinal ileus. Image 2: Foreign material, abnormal accumulation of ingesta and focal intestinal stasis

Image Interpretation

Image and Video 1: Generalized small intestinal fluid dilation. Image and Video 2: Small intestinal focal irregular hyperechoic echo with distal acoustic shadowing.

DX

Jejunal foreign body

Outcome

On exploratory laparotomy, an intestinal foreign body was identified at the mid jejunum and removed via enterotomy. Postoperative blood work showed hypoalbuminemia. 24 hours after surgery the patient started to eat well but remained hypoalbuminemic. The patient was discharged with instructions to feed cooked egg whites and to follow up with the regular veterinarian.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

GI pathology – foreign body obstruction, torsion, neoplasia, ulceration, pancreatitis, intestinal perforation. Peritonitis, Addison’s disease, Renal pathology – renal failure, pyelonephritis