Intrabronchial foreign bodies in dogs

Eight dogs referred for the investigation of a persistent cough were found to have intrabronchial foreign bodies. The salient findings were haemoptysis, halitosis, eosinophilia and, on thoracic radiographs, an ill-defined peribronchial increase in radiodensity involving a caudal lobe bronchus. Bronchoscopy was essential to confirm the diagnosis as the results of radiography were equivocal. Removal of the foreign body via the trachea was achieved in seven patients resulting in complete recovery in six. Two dogs died of related complications.     

Bronchial foreign bodies in four dogs

This paper describes the history, clinical signs and diagnosis of cereal ear foreign bodies in four dogs. Presternal tracheotomy was required for removal of the foreign bodies in three out of the four cases and the technique is described.     

Validation of a transendoscopic glandular and nonglandular gastric biopsy technique in horses

Reasons for performing study: In order to study the evolution of histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the gastric mucosa of horses with EGUS (equine gastric ulcer syndrome), a feasible, useful, valid and safe in vivo gastric biopsy technique is required. Objectives: To determine the average gastric mucosal healing time following endoscopic gastric biopsy sampling, and evaluate the feasibility, safety and usefulness of samples obtained by this method for histopathological analysis. Methods: Six mature mares from the Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire research herd were used. Transendoscopic gastric biopsy was performed on Days 0 and 9 using a flexible forceps with oval and fenestrated jaws to obtain gastric mucosal samples from 4 different sites: cardia (C), fundus (F), margo plicatus (MP) and glandular mucosa (GL). A maximum of 4 samples per site was taken and processed routinely for histopathology, evaluated by a pathologist. On Days 1–4 and 9–11 the lesions created by the biopsies were evaluated by gastroscopy. Lesions were evaluated over time based on a score from 0–4, where 4 was the most severe. Results: Biopsy samples could be obtained from all targeted sites except C. No abnormal clinical signs were observed up to 7 days post biopsy. The average biopsy lesion scores decreased significantly with time for all sites. The average lesion score was significantly higher for the MP compared to the other sites at Days 1 and 2. Samples taken from the nonglandular portion of the stomach were considered inadequate for histopathology, while those taken from the glandular mucosa were adequate. Conclusion: The transendoscopic gastric biopsy technique described here is a feasible, safe and useful technique for obtaining samples from the equine gastric glandular mucosa. Although biopsy samples could be obtained from several areas in the nonglandular mucosa, these were very small, took longer to heal and were not considered adequate for histopathological evaluation, and another technique should therefore be validated.     

Incidence and characterization of esophagitis following esophageal foreign body removal in dogs: 60 cases (1999–2003)

Objective: To characterize the presence of esophagitis in dogs after esophagoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of esophageal foreign body and to relate the degree of esophageal injury to clinical signs and outcome. Design: Retrospective study. Animals, intervention, and measurements: Medical records of 60 dogs with esophageal foreign bodies diagnosed between January 1999 and December 2003 were reviewed. Information obtained from the medical records included age, breed, and sex; type and duration of clinical signs; physical examination, radiographic, and esophagoscopy findings; type and location of foreign body; surgical intervention; morbidity, and outcome. Animals were divided into 2 cohorts based upon the degree of esophageal injury detected during esophagoscopy: mild esophagitis or moderate‐to‐severe esophagitis. Data were then compared between the groups. Results: Dogs with moderate‐to‐severe esophagitis had a longer duration of clinical signs, were more likely to present for lethargy and regurgitation/vomiting, and had a longer time to recovery. This cohort had significantly greater morbidity including esophageal stricture, perforation, necrosis, and diverticulum formation, as well as aspiration pneumonia, pneumothorax, severe tracheal compression, and death. Dogs with mild esophagitis were more likely to present to the hospital for gagging. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a wide range of injury associated with esophageal foreign bodies. The degree of esophagitis appears to relate to the duration and severity of some of the clinical signs.     

Computed tomographic diagnosis of nongastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs

Clinical data and computed tomography (CT) studies were reviewed for 13 dogs with confirmed nongastrointestinal foreign bodies. Locations of foreign bodies were the nasal cavity, thoracic wall, retropharyngeal region, and cerebellum. Types of foreign bodies included small plant components, blades of grass, wooden sticks, cloth fibers, and a needle. Foreign bodies in five dogs were not identified on CT, and secondary reactions resembled neoplastic or fungal disease. In eight dogs, foreign bodies were recognized by their shape and/or internal architecture. In two dogs, three-dimensional reformatting helped demonstrate foreign bodies in relation to palpable bony landmarks.     

Acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies occur commonly in dogs. The objective of the study was to describe the acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities identified in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies and determine if these abnormalities are related to the site or type of foreign body present. Medical records of 138 dogs were reviewed, and information on signalment, initial venous electrolyte and acid-base values, surgical findings, relevant historical information, imaging modalities used, cost of hospital visit, intra- or postoperative complications, and survival was obtained. The site of the foreign body was recorded in 94.9% of cases and the most common site was the stomach (50%), followed by the jejunum (27.5%). The foreign bodies were linear in 36.2% of cases. The most common electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities regardless of the site or type of foreign body were hypochloremia (51.2%), metabolic alkalosis (45.2%), hypokalemia (25%), and hyponatremia (20.5%). No significant association was found between electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities and the site of foreign body. Linear, as opposed to discrete, foreign bodies were more likely to be associated with a low serum sodium concentration (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.95). Hyperlactatemia (> 2.4 mmol/L) was seen in 40.5% of dogs. A wide variety of electrolyte and acid-base derangements are found in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies. Hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis are common in these dogs. Hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis is seen with both proximal and distal gastrointestinal foreign bodies.     

Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from cats or dogs

Foreign bodies in the airways or intestines of dogs or cats are a common problem in companion animal practice. Improved endoscopic techniques, together with their greater availability, mean that it is often possible to remove the foreign body endoscopically, making surgery unnecessary. This article describes 53 cats and dogs in which a foreign body was detected and, where possible, removed. Results are compared with those in the literature. Practical guidelines for foreign body removal in specific cases are described, focusing on therapy and prognosis.     

Thoracic and abdominal wall swellings in dogs caused by foreign bodies

Twenty-seven hunting dogs with local swellings on the thoracic and, or, abdominal wall, were treated mainly by radical surgery supported by chemotherapy. The lesions were characterised histopathologically as pyogranulomatous inflammation. One of the dogs died during surgery because of a technical accident. Four of the dogs underwent further surgery because of relapse. Treatment was successful in 26 cases, with a mean observation period of 3.3 years (range, 0.6 to 6.5 years) without signs of disease. In 12 of the 26 dogs which underwent surgery, parts of grasses (Poaceae family), usually the floret, were found in the lesions. Predominantly anaerobic bacteria (including actinomyces) common to the oropharyngeal tract were isolated from lesions. It is proposed that the plant material is inhaled during open-mouth breathing and, after migration through the lungs to the peripheral attachment of the diaphragm, causes productive inflammation by synergism with endogenous microorganisms of mucous membrane origin.     

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies in 5 Holstein calves

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies was successfully performed in 5 Holstein-Friesian calves under sedation or general anesthesia by using an electrocautery snare or a wire-guided Dormi basket. This report describes the endoscopic manipulations, treatment, and outcomes of esophageal foreign body removal in these calves.     

Fragments of nasogastric tubes as esophageal foreign bodies in two horses

Two horses were referred with fragments of nasogastric tubes as esophageal foreign bodies. Radiography and endoscopy were used to identify the location of the fragments. Portions of the tubes were retrieved by esophagotomy in 1 horse and by manual examination of the oral cavity in the other. Both tubes were friable in focal areas, but were quite pliable over most of the length of the tube.