Possible Toy Ingestion

History

A 14-week-old, intact male German Shepard Dog, presented for regurgitation and possible ingestion of a toy. The owner reported the dog has a history of chewing foreign objects and may have ingested a toy. The owner reported the dog had been vomiting daily since being acquired. There was an abdominal component and wretching associated with the vomiting. The owner noted the puppy had been vomiting for several days and had become weak and lethargic. Radiographs obtained at the RDVM revealed a possible esophageal foreign body. The dog was referred for endoscopic removal.

Presenting Symptoms

•Regurgitation
•Vomiting daily
•Weak
•Lethargic

Physical Examination and Diagnostic Tests

The dog was sedated and attempts to push the item back into the stomach were unsuccessful. Endoscopy revealed a large folded mass that was mucosa (endoscopic forceps induced bleeding of this structure). Rugal folds were noted which suggested the mass was inverted stomach.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The owner was informed that there was not a foreign body but a hiatal hernia was present. Long-term complications including mega-esophagus were discussed with the owner. The owners elected to proceed with surgery. Abdominal exploratory revealed the entire stomach and proximal duodenum up to the pancreas was contained within the thoracic esophagus. The spleen was also noted here.
An incisional gastropexy was performed. Anesthetic recovery was routine. The dog was maintained on antibiotics, GI protectants and NPO for the first 48 hours. Trickle feeding via a nasogastric tube was started. Small feedings of I/D were also started. There were no episodes of vomiting or regurgitation. The dog was discharged 4 days post-operatively.