Case Study

Gastric foreign body in a 2 year old MN Dachshund dog with a history of pancreatitis

A 2-year-old MN Dachshund with a history of recurrent pancreatitis and gastric foreign that had been removed via gastrotomy was presented for evaluation of vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. On physical examination, the patient was depressed and showed nausea. The only abnormality on serum biochemistry was elevated lipase (2594).

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Upper gastrointestinal obstructive pattern. Recommend immediate exploratory surgery. Concurrent gastrointestinal biopsies would be warranted to rule out underlying disease given the chronic issues with PICA.

Image Interpretation

The cranial abdomen revealed a dilated stomach filled with fluid and thickened gastric wall. The adjacent small intestine appeared dilated with a 2.5-3.0 cm hard shadowing structure that is consistent with a ball or something similar. Reactive mesentery was noted. The distal small intestine was dilated and followed by empty small intestine. The descending colon was full of hard stool. No obstructive or overt infiltrative disease was noted. No abnormal lymphatic activity was noted and the abdomen was free of masses and pathological fluid.

DX

Upper gastrointestinal obstructive pattern

Outcome

Exploratory surgery was performed and a piece of stuffed animal was found in the distal jejunum.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

GI – foreign body, stenosis, IBD, ulceration, non-specific gastro-enteritis (viral, bacterial helminths, dietary hypersensitivity)
Pancreatitis

Patient Information

Patient Name : Quincy Longstreet/CVC

Gender : Male, Neutered

Species : Canine

Type of Imaging : Ultrasound

Status : Complete

Liz Wuz Here : Yes

Clinical Signs

Diarrhea
Vomiting

History

Foreign Body
Pancreatitis

Exam Finding

Depression

Images

Blood Chemistry

Lipase, High

Clinical Signs

Diarrhea
Vomiting