Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gastrocutaneous fistula as a result of migration of a foreign body in a dog.
- Journal:
- The Journal of small animal practice
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Brennan, S F et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Studies
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A six-year-old female Tibetan terrier was brought in because she had a wound on her chest that wouldn't heal. For two months, she had a lump that drained a thick fluid, and antibiotics didn't help. After some imaging tests, the vets thought there might be a piece of bone or a foreign object causing the problem. During surgery, they found a wooden stick from an ice cream treat lodged in her skin. Although there was some healing trouble afterward, everything seemed to get better until a month later when fluid started leaking again. Another surgery revealed a connection between her stomach and the skin, which was fixed, and after that, she showed no more signs of trouble.
Abstract
A six-year-old, female Tibetan terrier was referred for investigation of a non-healing wound on the left caudal thorax. A subcutaneous swelling had initially developed on the chest wall, followed by a draining tract from which seropurulent fluid drained for two months. There had been no response to antibiotic treatment. Following radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations, a bone sequestrum from a fractured rib or a foreign body was suspected. Surgical exploration of the wound identified a sinus tract and a wooden foreign body (an ice-lolly stick) was located in subcutaneous tissues. Partial wound dehiscence of the surgical site occurred postoperatively, but healed after 10 days. One month later, fluid began to discharge from the area again. Further surgical exploration confirmed a gastrocutaneous fistula. Dissection of the fistula and surgical closure of the stomach, body wall and skin led to resolution of all signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15206476/