Case Study

Foreign body, small intestinal in a 12 year old MN Cairn Terrier dog

A 12-year-old MN Cairn terrier dog was presented for vomiting and anorexia. Physical exam was uneventful. CBC showed a neutrophilia. Blood chemistry revealed hyperphosphatemia and an elevated ALT enzyme activity.

A 12-year-old MN Cairn terrier dog was presented for vomiting and anorexia. Physical exam was uneventful. CBC showed a neutrophilia. Blood chemistry revealed hyperphosphatemia and an elevated ALT enzyme activity.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Mid small intestinal foreign body obstruction with emerging localized peritonitis.

Image Interpretation

The upper small intestine appeared with prominent mucosa yet was otherwise normal. The mid small intestine presented dilation as well as an approximately 4cm soft shadowing structure consistent with cloth material obstructing the small intestine. The remainder of the small intestine and colon appeared normal. Mild amount of omental and serosal inflammation was noted associated with this foreign body.

DX

Small intestinal foreign body

Outcome

Enterotomy was performed and the surgeon removed a hard rubber foreign body from the jejunum. No resection was necessary. Patient recovered well post-op exploratory.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Liver pathology (Hepatitis and/or cholangitis secondary to an immune-mediated process, infectious, mucocele) Pancreatic pathology (pancreatitis),GI pathology (inflammatory bowel disease), neoplasia of gastrointestinal, hepatic or pancreatic origin (lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, mast cell tumor.)