Case Study

Small intestinal linear foreign body in a 2 year old MN Golden Retriever dog

A 2-year-old MN Golden Retriever dog was presented to an emergency referral hospital for vomiting and lethargy. The owner had noticed a piece of a stuffed animal in the vomit. Physical examination, urinalysis, CPLI and 4DX were all within normal limits. Abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemistry were hemoconcentration and mildly elevated lipase. Survey radiographs showed retention of radiopaque material after 18 hours.

A 2-year-old MN Golden Retriever dog was presented to an emergency referral hospital for vomiting and lethargy. The owner had noticed a piece of a stuffed animal in the vomit. Physical examination, urinalysis, CPLI and 4DX were all within normal limits. Abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemistry were hemoconcentration and mildly elevated lipase. Survey radiographs showed retention of radiopaque material after 18 hours.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Gastrointestinal fabric type foreign body involving the stomach, pylorus and small intestine; underlying IBD

Image Interpretation

The stomach in this patient presented strongly shadowing fabric type foreign body that continues into the small intestine with accordion pleating and reactive omentum. There were areas of transmural loss of detail noted.

DX

Small intestinal linear foreign body

Outcome

On endoscopy material was evident but could not be retrieved. A laparotomy was performed and a linear foreign body identified in the small intestine. It was gently massaged into the stomach and subsequently removed via a gastrotomy. Post surgery the patient made an uneventful recovery.