Case Study

Gastrointestinal foreign body in a 6 year old FS Boxer

This 6-year-old FS Boxer dog was presented for immediate postprandial vomiting over the past 3 days with concurrent diarrhea. The physical exam was largely normal with liquid brown diarrhea and hematochezia noted on rectal palpation. The CBC was normal. Blood chemistry analysis revealed slightly decreased albumin and moderately elevated amylase and lipase. Urinalysis was normal. Fecal smear revealed an abundance of Clostridium (20-30/HPF).

This 6-year-old FS Boxer dog was presented for immediate postprandial vomiting over the past 3 days with concurrent diarrhea. The physical exam was largely normal with liquid brown diarrhea and hematochezia noted on rectal palpation. The CBC was normal. Blood chemistry analysis revealed slightly decreased albumin and moderately elevated amylase and lipase. Urinalysis was normal. Fecal smear revealed an abundance of Clostridium (20-30/HPF).

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

FB obstruction, pseudo obstruction, focal ulceration, inflammation with variable ultrasound echogenicity giving the appearance of a probable obstruction.

Image Interpretation

Hyperechoic relatively linear echo found in the pyloric antrum with continuation through the pylorus into the upper duodenum (image 1). There appears to be mild thickening at the proximal duodenum. Pyloric outflow view demonstrates progressively shadowing material embedded within the pylorus (Image 2). Hyperperistalsis is seen at the proximal portion of the bowel where this foreign obstruction was present (Image 3).

DX

Gastrointestinal foreign body

Outcome

The patient recovered uneventfully.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Pancreatitis, gastroenteritis/IBD, intoxication, GI obstruction, neoplasia

Sampling

Exploratory surgery was performed 4 hours post sonogram. A ribbon foreign body was found and removed from the mid ileum. The stomach and duodenum were now empty.