Fish bones, kernels, and even bits of fruit can get lodged in our throats or near the esophagus during consumption. If left untreated, these foreign objects can cause infections, erode nearby blood vessels, and potentially lead to death within a short timeframe, posing a serious concern that should not be overlooked.
In our common understanding, dogs are often thought to enjoy bones freely, but that’s not entirely true. Some bones are actually harmful for them if consumed excessively. While the cartoon image of a dog loving bones in “Tom and Jerry” may make us believe it’s natural, this stereotype is misleading. If pet owners are unaware of the risks, feeding bones to their dogs can lead to severe consequences. Let’s delve into this health issue to clarify.
Clinical Presentation
The dog, typically energetic and lively, has recently started experiencing intermittent vomiting over the past week. Its former vitality seems to have diminished significantly. The vomiting intensifies towards evening, accompanied by the production of white foam. Despite the discomfort, the dog still displays an appetite. Additionally, the lymph nodes in its lower jaw have swollen, and it exhibits distress when picked up, emitting loud cries.
Clinical Examination:
The dog appears hunched with cautious gait, exhibiting clear signs of pain. Although it eats normally during feedings by the nurse, it subsequently vomits. Inhalation through the nostrils is difficult, and a heart murmur can be heard. Given its age, tooth loss is expected; however, there is no fever present, nor does it exhibit coughing symptoms.
Laboratory tests:
Blood tests were normal. DR examination revealed a foreign body in the esophagus, similar to the shape of a bone, and the foreign body penetrated the esophagus.
Initial diagnosis：
Canine esophageal foreign body obstruction
Treatment Plan:
Firstly, the doctor verifies if there’s any perforation in the esophagus: Given the bone’s blockage lasting for a week, a Barium Swallow Study will be conducted to examine the situation.
Secondly, considering the dog’s age (10 years old), surgery carries inherent risks. Dr. Cheng faces the challenge of minimizing anesthesia-related distress for his patient, Little Guy. To avoid surgery’s potential complications and reduce pain, the decision is made to utilize endoscopy. An endoscope equipped with forceps will be employed to carefully extract the foreign object from the esophagus.
Endoscopy
Endoscopes are increasingly utilized in veterinary medicine, typically entering the pet’s body through natural passages or making small incisions. They use external imaging to inspect and perform surgical procedures on internal organs or tissues of the animal.
Endoscopic Surgery
In veterinary medicine, endoscopy is primarily employed for:
① Diagnosis: It aids in diagnosing conditions such as esophageal, gastric, and intestinal issues, and facilitates inspections of nasal passages, ear canals, and urinary bladder. It also supports procedures like obtaining biopsy samples.
② Therapy: Endoscopy facilitates removal of foreign objects, particularly useful for elderly pets with nutritional or metabolic disorders that prevent eating. It can also guide the placement of tracheal stents in cases of moderate to severe tracheal collapse, and employs electrocautery or electrocoagulation techniques for treatment purposes.
Pre-surgery, the dog would be administered anesthesia for comfort. Once under anesthesia, the veterinarian would introduce a long endoscope tube into the dog’s esophagus gradually. The objective would be to locate the bone using the scope, after which a small forceps would be used to grasp it securely. Finally, the foreign object would be carefully withdrawn from the esophagus in a controlled manner.
After removing the foreign object, the veterinarian would perform another examination of the dog’s esophagus and stomach using the endoscope. It was found that the esophagus had developed inflammation. Post-surgery, antibiotics would be prescribed to treat the infection, and the dog would receive intravenous nutrition to aid in inflammation recovery.
Thus, it’s crucial to pay attention to unusual behaviors in pets, as they might indicate underlying health issues. Early detection ensures prompt access to proper treatment, allowing our furry friends to recover sooner from their discomfort.
