Gastric (Stomach) Foreign Body in Dogs

Digg   Del.icio.us   Stumble   Share

Section: Overview

Gastric foreign body is a term that refers to any material other than food that is eaten and that results in a serious digestive problem in the stomach. Foreign bodies such as toys, string, clothing and plastic can become lodged in the stomach and create an obstruction. Any household object your pet chews on can become a foreign body problem.

Dogs of any age are susceptible to developing foreign body problems but this is most commonly seen in young dogs less than two years of age. These youngsters are naturally curious, like to dig and chew and are more likely to chew on the wrong thing.

Although some smaller foreign bodies can pass through the gut without getting stuck, the larger pieces can result in serious gastrointestinal complications.

What to Watch For

Surgery. If your veterinarian does not have endoscopic capability or the foreign material has a low chance of being removed by an endoscope, surgery is recommended.

After sedation, your dog will have his mid abdomen shaved. An incision is made along the center of the abdomen. The stomach and intestines are examined for foreign material or obstructions. After localizing the foreign material, a small incision is made in the stomach or intestine and the foreign material is removed. The incision in the stomach or intestine is sutured. The body wall and skin is then sutured.

Advantages of surgical removal of foreign material is the ability to examine the entire intestinal tract for other obstructions. Disadvantages include post-operative painBiocaine 4oz
Tomlyn Biocaine (4 oz) is a First Aid Lotion for dogs and cats relieves pain and stops wound chewing, licking and scratching. Painless and soothing to..., prolonged hospital stay and potential for infection from the stomach or intestinal incision.

After removal of the foreign material, whether through endoscopy or surgery, the dog continues to receive intravenous fluids until vomiting has stopped and he is able to eat and drink without vomiting.

Home Care

Once the dog is able to eat and drink without vomiting, he is sent home.

For those dogs treated with endoscopy, there is minimal at home care. Feed a bland diet for two to three days and gradually return to a normal diet. Watch for not eating or vomiting.

For those dogs undergoing surgery, at home care includes incision care. Do not allow your dog to lick or chew at the sutures. An Elizabethan collar may be needed. Watch the incision for swelling or discharge. Sutures are generally removed in 7-10 days. Feed a bland diet for two to three days and gradually return to a normal diet. Watch for not eating or vomiting.

Preventative Care

The best way to prevent gastric foreign bodies is to prevent access to objects that could be swallowed. Allow your dog to only chew on toys that cannot be swallowed.

If you suspect that your dog may have ingested something that may not pass through his intestinal tract, contact your veterinarian. Waiting until your dog starts to vomit will make removal of the foreign material more difficult and costly.

 

Printable Version

Digg   Del.icio.us   Stumble   Share

Share this Article with a Friend Email To:

 

Have a Pet Question?

Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
and His Staff of Veterinarians

Dr. Jon's Newsletter

Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...

 

 

Related Articles

Search Over 15,000 articles

• 1 Abdominal Exploratory in Dogs

  An abdominal exploratory surgery refers to almost every non-specific surgery of the abdomen. They are defined as exploratory because every organ in the abdomen is inspected for abnormalities and treated...

  Read More
• 2 Vomiting in Dogs

  At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.

  Read More
• 3 Regurgitation in Dogs

  Unlike vomiting, regurgitation is not accompanied by nausea and does not involve forceful abdominal contractions. It is a symptom of esophageal disease and not a disorder in itself.

  Read More
• 4 Gastrointestinal Foreign Body in Dogs

  Foreign bodies such as toys, string, clothing and plastic can become lodged in the stomach and create an obstruction. Any household object your pet chews on can become a foreign body problem.

  Read More

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

Dogs & Puppies

Dog Breeds

labrador retriever, golden retriever, yorkshire terriers, german shepherds, beagle, boxers

Dog Medication

dog allergy medication, dog pain medication, dog anxiety medication, dog flea medication

Dog Products

dog bowls, dog crates, dog toys, dog beds, dog ramps, dog food storage, dog tags

Dog Symptoms

dog vomiting, dog limping, dog diarrhea, dog bad breath, dog coughing, dog seizures

Dog Health

dog cancer, dog diabetes, dog epilepsy, dog hip dysplasia, dog health, sick dog

Dog Care

dog vaccination, dog microchipping, dog grooming, dog neutering, dog spaying, dogs mating

Dog Training

dog aggression, dog barking, dog chewing, dog behavior, dog jumping, dog whisperer

Dog Pictures

puppy pictures, funny dogs, cute dogs, dog breeds, sleeping dogs, silly dogs, small dogs

Cats

Cat Breeds

persian, siamese cats, devon rex, ragdoll cats, sphynx, maine coon cat

Cat Medication

cat flea medication, cat heartworm control, cat tick medications

Cat Products

cat litter box, cat food, cat bed, cat flea collar, cat carrier, cat urine odor

Cat Symptoms

cat vomiting, cat limping, cat diarrhea, cat bad breath, cat coughing

Cat Health

cat health, cat liver cancer, cat diabetes, cat scratch fever, cat aids, sick cat

Cat Care

cat vaccination, cat grooming, cat microchipping, cat neutering, cat spaying

Cat Behavior

cat urine marking, cat furniture scratching, cat litterbox training, cat toilet training, cat fears

Cat Pictures

cute cats, funny cats, playful cats, fat cats, jumping cats, lazy cats, sleeping cats, cute kittens