Introduction

• Recovery of gastric foreign bodies is the most common indication for gastrotomy. Surgical recovery should only be considered where conservative management is inappropriate or endoscopic retrieval has failed.
• Signs:
  • Asymptomatic.
  • Vomiting (acute/chronic).
  • May be incidental finding during investigation for other diseases.
• Weight loss may occur in chronic cases.
• Diagnosis: history, signs, radiography or gastroscopy.
• Treatment: not all gastric foreign bodies require removal.
• Prognosis: generally very good.

Pathogenesis

Predisposing factors

General

• Some dogs are 'stone chewers' or ball chasers and may repeatedly swallow these objects.
• Greedy dogs with scavenging habits may repeatedly get bone foreign bodies.

Pathophysiology

• Asymptomatic:
  • Non-irritant foreign body lying in fundus.
  • May exhibit pica, salivation, polydipsia, polyuria.
  • May lead to hypertrophic gastritis long-term Stomach: chronic hypertrophic gastritis.
• Acute vomiting:
  • Associated with pyloric obstruction.
  • Dehydration, metabolic alkalosis Acid base imbalance.
• Chronic vomiting:
  • Associated with chronic irritation.
  • Secondary hypertrophic gastritis Stomach: chronic hypertrophic gastritis.
• Intermittent vomiting:
  • Movement of foreign body in and out of pylorus.
• Signs of zinc or lead toxicity if these FBs are ingested.

Timecourse

• Hours - weeks (depends on type/position FB).

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes