Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats and survival rates
By Hayes, G·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2009·RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 208 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 208 dogs and cats that had swallowed foreign objects causing blockages in their stomachs and intestines. Most pets recovered well, especially if they had swallowed single items rather than long, string-like objects. English bull terriers, springer spaniels, and Staffordshire bull terriers were among the breeds most affected. The research found that pets did better when they were treated quickly, and fewer surgeries were needed to fix the problem. If your pet is showing signs of a blockage, like vomiting or not eating, it's important to see a vet right away for the best chance of recovery.
People also search for: dog vomiting foreign object · cat intestinal blockage treatment · signs of dog stomach obstruction
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To establish predilection sites of obstruction and to investigate clinical factors associated with a poor outcome. METHODS: A retrospective study of 208 consecutive cases over a 48-month period from first-opinion practice. RESULTS: Overall, 91 per cent of cases recovered with higher survival rates from discrete foreign bodies (94 per cent in dogs and 100 per cent in cats) as opposed to linear foreign bodies (80 per cent in dogs and 63 per cent in cats). English bull terriers, springer spaniels, Staffordshire bull terriers, Border collies and Jack Russell terriers were over-represented. In dogs, 63 per cent of obstructions occurred in the jejunum but foreign objects were encountered at all points along the gastrointestinal tract. A longer duration of clinical signs, the presence of a linear foreign body and multiple intestinal procedures were associated with significantly increased mortality. Neither the degree of obstruction (partial or complete) nor the location of the foreign body was shown to have a significant influence on survival. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Prompt presentation, diagnosis and surgical intervention improve the outcome of gastrointestinal obstruction by foreign bodies. At surgery, the minimal number of intestinal procedures should be performed to restore the integrity of the alimentary tract.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19814770/