Case Study

Linear foreign body gastric/intestinal obstruction in a 2 year old FS Oriental Shorthair cat

This 2 year old FS Oriental Shorthair cat presented for evaluation of acute onset vomiting. She was seen chewing at the Christmas tree.

Physical exam: QAR, temp 102.0, HR 200, RR 20, MM pink,CRT <2 sec. Corneal dystrophic changes OS. Possible corrugated bowel mid abdomen.

This 2 year old FS Oriental Shorthair cat presented for evaluation of acute onset vomiting. She was seen chewing at the Christmas tree.

Physical exam: QAR, temp 102.0, HR 200, RR 20, MM pink,CRT <2 sec. Corneal dystrophic changes OS. Possible corrugated bowel mid abdomen.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

linear foreign body obstruction pattern

Image Interpretation

The stomach was dilated with fluid with thickened wall. This is consistent with gastritis. Shadowing material was noted in the mid cranial abdomen. This is likely colon. However, connection to the stomach cannot be ruled out as this presentation can also mimic foreign body in the upper duodenum. Additional images: The stomach was still dilated and striating, echogenic debris was noted in the stomach. Further views of the midabdomen revealed hyperechoic material that appeared to be in the small intestine.

DX

Christmas tree ornament gastric/duodenal obstruction obstruction.

Outcome

Given that the gastric
dilation is persistently dilated with no movement in the comparative sonograms I
recommend exploratory surgery. This is strongly suspicious of Christmas tree tinsel
obstruction. The clinician should look under the tongue to assess if there is an anchor
in that region.