Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dental chew treats causing esophagus blockage in 31 dogs
By Leib, Michael S & Sartor, Laura Lee·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Esophageal foreign body obstruction caused by a dental chew treat in 31 dogs (2000-2006).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 31 dogs, mostly small breeds, experienced serious issues after swallowing a dental chew treat that caused an obstruction in their esophagus. Owners noticed symptoms like gagging, vomiting, and lethargy, prompting veterinary visits. Diagnosis was typically confirmed through X-rays, and while some dogs had the obstruction removed endoscopically, many required surgery to push the treat into the stomach. Unfortunately, about 25% of the dogs did not survive, and those that did often faced complications like strictures in the esophagus.
People also search for: dog gagging after eating · dental chew treat obstruction · small dog vomiting treatment · esophageal blockage in dogs · dog surgery for foreign object
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome associated with esophageal obstruction caused by a dental chew treat in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 31 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records were contributed from 19 hospitals via responses to a questionnaire that was developed for veterinarians who managed the cases. RESULTS: Esophageal obstructions with the dental chew treat occurred primarily in small dogs (26/31 [83.9%]). The most common clinical signs were gagging, regurgitation, vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. Diagnosis was usually made via survey thoracic radiography. Obstructions were most commonly located in the distal portion of the esophagus (23/31; 74.2%). Esophageal lesions were moderate or severe in 86.7% (26/30) of the dogs. Orad endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies was uncommon (8/31 [25.8%]); most were pushed into the stomach. Thoracotomy was necessary in 6 dogs. Esophageal strictures developed in 6 of 25 (24%) dogs that survived initial hospitalization. Overall mortality rate was 25.8%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Esophageal obstructions with a dental chew treat were difficult to remove orally via endoscopy, resulted in moderate or severe esophageal damage, frequently were associated with stricture formation, and were associated with a high mortality rate.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18380620/