Introduction

• This condition is usually seen when a dog 'runs onto' a stick being carried in the mouth.
• Cause: the stick impinges against the ground or another surface and the dog's weight drives the stick into the mouth and pharynx, where it penetrates/lacerates oropharyngeal tissues to varying degrees.
• Signs: may be acute (dyspnea, retching/gagging) or subacute/chronic (abscess/foreign body).
• Diagnosis: history, radiography, endoscopy, bacteriology, fluid/aspirate analysis.
• Treatment: general anesthesia, removal of objects and possibly surgical exploration of the region.
• Prognosis: excellent with prompt treatment, except when there is major trauma to the airway, but guarded in more chronic cases.
• See also Airway abscessation Airway abscessation.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Foreign body penetration by:
  • Bone splinters.
  • Sewing needles.
  • Fish hooks.
  • Splinters from wooden sticks.

Pathophysiology

• Foreign body damages tissues of the oral cavity, respiratory or digestive tracts or tissues of the neck region.

• Hemorrhagic and inflammatory responses arising from direct trauma and subsequent infection.
• Wounds can be located in:
  • Rostral pharynx: migration may → retrobulbar, temporal or masseteric regions.
  • Lateral pharynx: migration → parapharyngeal area or thoracic region.
  • Dorsal pharynx: potentially fatal when esophagus lacerated.

Timecourse

• Acute effects: immediately after the incident.
• Subacute/chronic effects (days to months after injury): in response to foreign body, eg pieces of wood in upper respiratory or digestive tract or in tissues of the neck region.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes