Gastric Foreign Objects

Signalment

• Dogs affected more often than cats due to their less selective eating habits.

Description

Ingested objects that are able to pass through the oesophagus may subsequently become a gastric or intestinal foreign object. If small enough, the object may pass through the pylorus and the entire gastrointestinal tract. Others may become intestinal or rectal foreign bodies. Objects that remain in the stomach may be subsequently expelled by vomiting, otherwise they may continue to cause gastric outflow obstruction, gastric distension and irritation.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

Some animals may be asymptomatic, otherwise the following signs may present:

• vomiting - due to gastric outflow obstruction, gastric distension and/or irritation.
• inappetence
• anorexia
• dehydration - may occur as a result of prolonged vomiting.