Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies and Obstruction

Or why is my pet puking?

What happens when your pet swallows something that isn't digestible? Most of the time, it will pass all the way through the gastrointestinal tract with little consequence. Occasionally things like paper, small pieces of plastic or wood can cause irritation that results in vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Sometimes a pet will swallow something that can't pass down the tract or be vomited back up. This creates an obstruction that can become life threatening if not treated. Signs of obstruction include loss of appetite (although some dogs will continue to try to eat for a couple days), repeated vomiting (especially shortly after eating or drinking), abdominal pain or tenderness and depression. These can certainly be signs of other diseases as well and should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian.

Physical examination usually reveals a patient who feels poorly, is variably dehydrated and may have a painful abdomen. Radiographs will sometimes show the offending object, especially if it is large or has metal, dense plastic or rubber, bone or other dense material. Other things like socks, light plastic (shopping bag), paper, etc. won't show on radiographs but their effects on the stomach or intestines may be visible.

The first radiograph is from a dog that swallowed some Gorilla Glue. The glue swelled and hardened incorporating all stomach contents. Surgery was required to remove the mass. Other objects commonly lodged in dogs include corn cobs, socks, underwear, pieces of plastic and occasionally stones.

Another type of foreign body that is especially dangerous is a string or linear foreign body. Items such as a length of string, thread, carpet fiber, or rubber band can be swallowed. Some of it may ball up in the stomach and can't pass. But a bit may find it's way into the intestine and start down until it is brought up short at the end that is still balled up in the stomach. The intestine will keep trying to push the thread down and becomes bunched up in the process. As the intestine continues to work, the thread begins to saw through the wall of the intestine. If perforation occurs the abdomen becomes infected and a life threatening peritonitis is established.

The second radiograph is from a cat that swallowed a string. The intestines are all bunched up in one area of the abdomen leaving the liver, stomach, kidneys and colon unusually unobstructed to viewing. Fortunately there were no perforations at surgery but several small incisions throughout the length of the intestine were required to remove the string.

Surgery is the only way to treat intestinal obstruction. Occasionally a soft foreign body, such as a sock, can be retrieved from the stomach with an endoscope. Potential complications from surgery include infection in the abdomen or body wall incision and adhesions that stick the intestines together which leads to digestive problems. The majority of patients do very well as long as peritonitis has not been established before surgery.

Is Your Pet Protected from Heartworms?

If you haven’t started thinking about a heartworm preventative for your pet, now is the time! Spring has arrived and so have those pesky mosquitos. You may be asking, why is she mentioning mosquitos and what does that have to do to with heartworms? The mosquito plays a critical part in the development of heartworm disease. Canine and Feline heartworm disease develops when a dog or cat is bitten by a mosquito caring microscopic heartworm larvae. As a mosquito feeds, these microscopic larvae are deposited on your pet and quickly penetrate the skin to begin their migration into your pet’s bloodstream. Adult heartworms can grow 10-12 inches in length and make their home in the right side of the heart and pulmonary (lung) arteries, often causing lung disease and heart failure.

Fortunately, preventing heartworm disease is easy. Heartworm preventatives are effective when given properly and on a timely schedule. All approved heartworm preventatives are highly effective, safe, easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and provide treatment for additional parasites. Prevention is always more safe and affordable than treating your dog with adult heartworm infections. And prevention is the only choice for your cat since no approved treatment exists for affected cats.

If you have not been protectiong your dog with a heartworm preventative, a heartworm test would be the first order of business. A small amount of blood is drawn from your pet and the test results are available in a matter of minutes. When a negative result is determined, then the doctor will discuss which heartworm preventative will be best for your dog. If the test determines that heartworms are present, the doctor will recommend hearworm treatment before starting your dog on preventative.

Heartworm testing is not always needed for cats. Since only 1 or 2 worms can cause serious or fatal disease in cats, it is recommended that heartworm prevention be started immediately. The best way to eliminate the risk of heartworm infection in your dog or cat is to start a year-a-round prevention program. Giving your dog or cat their heartworm preventative once a month all year long and annual heartworm testing for your dog will protect your pets from heartworm infection and disease.

Heartworms: What They Do

Restrict blood flow and cause organ damage. Symptoms include coughing, labored breathing, and heart failure. Untreated, heartworm disease can kill a dog.

From the Doctor:

Don’t forget, heartworms and mosquitos are not the only parasites to worry about. Fleas and ticks can also plague our pets. Proper application and usage of flea and tick products will keep your pet safe and comfortable all year round.