Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common problem in dogs and cats. Pets are curious creatures and will eat a wide variety of objects. Usually, these pass safely through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but sometimes an obstruction can occur.
Objects lodged in the GI tract can cause serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms. For this reason, it is important to visit your veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your pet has ingested a foreign object.
Causes and Symptoms
Objects that are large or have an irregular shape are most likely to cause an obstruction in the GI tract. Commonly ingested objects include toys, chews, bones, stones, bottle caps, coins, and other household items. Cats are particularly at risk of ingesting objects such as thread, string, and wool.
Ingestion of foreign bodies can cause a number of symptoms, some of which can seriously threaten your pet’s health. Please visit your veterinarian immediately if your pet displays any of the following signs or symptoms.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Behavioral changes
- Straining to defecate
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will ask you a series of questions about the onset of your pet’s symptoms and perform a thorough physical examination to check for signs of foreign body ingestion.
If a foreign body is suspected, abdominal X-rays will be performed. Often, your veterinarian will use special dyes to help locate foreign objects in the GI tract. Other diagnostic tests such as bloodwork and a urinalysis will usually be carried out to assess your pet’s overall health and rule out other causes of their symptoms
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the severity of your pet’s condition. If the ingested object cannot pass through the GI tract, surgical or other procedures will be necessary to remove it from your pet’s body.
Induced vomiting may be sufficient for removing smaller objects, but larger objects will usually require endoscopic retrieval or surgical removal.
Endoscopic retrieval involves passing a flexible tube called an endoscope through your pet’s esophagus into their GI tract. A camera and tools fitted to the endoscope then locate and remove the foreign body.
Surgical removal is a more invasive procedure which is performed if the foreign object cannot be removed safely through endoscopic retrieval. Your veterinarian will make an incision in your pet’s chest or abdomen to retrieve the foreign object, then surgically repair the affected area.
Other treatments and medications will be given before or after surgery to stabilize your pet’s condition and minimize pain. These may include intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics, painkillers, and drugs to address symptoms such as vomiting. A period of hospitalization may also be required to monitor your pet and carry out further treatment and tests.
Prevention
Please remove items from your pet’s environment that may cause an obstruction if swallowed. It is also important to monitor your pet and provide toys made from durable materials that will withstand daily wear and tear.
