Case Study

String foreign body in a 6 year old M Miniature Schnauzer dog

A 6-year M Miniature Schnauzer dog with a history of vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, inappetance, weakness, and hematuria was presented for evaluation. A piece of yarn was found in the vomit and in the stool. Abnormalities on urinalysis were proteinuria, bilirubinuria, and hematuria. On CBC and serum chemistry hemoconcentration, lymphopenia, elevated hyperalbuminemia and elevated BUN, and hyperglycemia were evident. Snap Elisa CPL was within normal range. Survey abdominal radiographs showed splenomegaly and multiple small pockets of gas throughout the GI tract.

A 6-year M Miniature Schnauzer dog with a history of vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, inappetance, weakness, and hematuria was presented for evaluation. A piece of yarn was found in the vomit and in the stool. Abnormalities on urinalysis were proteinuria, bilirubinuria, and hematuria. On CBC and serum chemistry hemoconcentration, lymphopenia, elevated hyperalbuminemia and elevated BUN, and hyperglycemia were evident. Snap Elisa CPL was within normal range. Survey abdominal radiographs showed splenomegaly and multiple small pockets of gas throughout the GI tract. The animal was treated with cefazolin, Pepcid, Cerenia, phenoxybenzamine, Rimadyl, Baytril, and IV fluids.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Suggestive of linear foreign body and emerging peritonitis. Full colon. Gastric stasis.

Image Interpretation

The gastrointestinal tract presented some gastric stasis. The descending duodenum presented mechanical ileus going to the distal small intestinal accordion pleating and linear foreign matter. The colon, however, was full and likely full of foreign material. However, residual linear foreign body pattern with bunching and intestinal spasm in the region of the jejunum was present. A slight amount of free fluid was noted along with ill-defined reactive omentum associated with the serosal wall.

DX

Linear foreign body

Outcome

On exploratory laparotomy a linear foreign body was found anchored in the stomach with multiple small intestinal perforations. The foreign body was removed and an intestinal resection and anastomosis performed. Post surgery the pet recovered well and was discharged on a course of amoxicillin and Baytril.