Case Study

Jejunal foreign body and emerging peritonitis in a 12 year old MN Cairn Terrier

A 12-year-old neutered male Cairn Terrier dog, with a chronic history of well managed diabetes and hyperadrenocorticism, was presented with a history of vomiting and anorexia over a 3 day period. The physical exam was normal other than mildly tacky mucous membranes and slight dehydration. The CBC was normal. Blood chemistry was stable with chronically moderately elevated SAP and mildly elevated ALT, which had been an issue over the prior 2 years. A urinalysis had not been performed.

A 12-year-old neutered male Cairn Terrier dog, with a chronic history of well managed diabetes and hyperadrenocorticism, was presented with a history of vomiting and anorexia over a 3 day period. The physical exam was normal other than mildly tacky mucous membranes and slight dehydration. The CBC was normal. Blood chemistry was stable with chronically moderately elevated SAP and mildly elevated ALT, which had been an issue over the prior 2 years. A urinalysis had not been performed.

DX

Jejunal foreign body

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Luminal shadowing obstructive foreign body and emerging peritonitis is the most likely scenario.

Image Interpretation

A luminal, markedly shadowing, intestinal foreign body was present with empty small intestine distal to and dilated small intestine proximal to the structure. Hyperechoic periserosal fat adhered to the serosa is suggestive for emerging peritonitis.