Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Differences in symptoms and outcomes for dogs with linear vs
By Hobday, M M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2014·Department of Clinical, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Linear versus non-linear gastrointestinal foreign bodies in 499 dogs: clinical presentation, management and short-term outcome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies was studied to see how their symptoms and treatment outcomes compared based on whether the foreign body was linear or non-linear. Dogs with linear foreign bodies often showed signs like vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain. They also faced more serious complications, such as intestinal damage, which required surgery and longer hospital stays. Despite these challenges, 96% of all dogs, regardless of the type of foreign body, survived their treatment and were discharged from the hospital.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities, imaging findings and outcome of dogs with linear and non-linear foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: Retrospective review of case records of dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of gastrointestinal foreign body. Signalment, history, clinical signs, clinicopathological data, diagnostic imaging studies, surgical and endoscopic procedures, hospital stay, costs and outcome were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 176 dogs had linear and 323 had non-linear foreign bodies. Dogs with a linear foreign body were more likely to have a history of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and pain on abdominal palpation. They were also more likely to have the foreign body anchored in the stomach and continuing into the small intestine, experience intestinal necrosis, perforation and peritonitis, and require intestinal resection and anastamosis. The duration of hospitalisation was longer for dogs with linear foreign body (3 versus 2 days), and the cost of treatment was 10% higher. However, in both groups, 96% of dogs survived to hospital discharge. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dogs with a linear foreign body had more severe clinical signs and gastrointestinal pathology, and an increased duration of hospitalisation and cost of care. However, overall survival rates were not different in dogs with linear and non-linear foreign bodies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25352109/