Case Study

Corn cob intestinal foreign body in a 5 year old FS Labrador Retriever dog

5 year old FS Labrador retriever was presented for repetitive vomiting, hematemesis, severe halitosis, lethargy and depression. Lateral and ventral/dorsal radiographs revealed a dilated stomach to four times its normal size, as well as dilated loops of bowel dorsal to the stomach. Hypokalemia and hypochloremia were present on the serum biochemical profile. Leukocytosis was present on the CBC and the SNAP 4DX® test was negative.

5 year old FS Labrador retriever was presented for repetitive vomiting, hematemesis, severe halitosis, lethargy and depression. Lateral and ventral/dorsal radiographs revealed a dilated stomach to four times its normal size, as well as dilated loops of bowel dorsal to the stomach. Hypokalemia and hypochloremia were present on the serum biochemical profile. Leukocytosis was present on the CBC and the SNAP 4DX® test was negative.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Foreign body small intestinal obstruction.

Image Interpretation

Gastric and upper intestinal stasis of mildly echogenic ingesta is noted. A 4 cm progressively shadowing luminal foreign body is evident followed by empty small intestine. This comprises an obstructive pattern. No evidence of peritonitis is visible.