Diseases of the esophagus in dogs. Foreign body in thoracic esophagus in dogs Foreign body stuck in esophagus in dog

Surgical pathology of the digestive organs in dogs is an actual problem of veterinary surgery. Pathologies associated with the presence of obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract account for 20 to 30% of all surgical pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs. The complexity of diagnostics and surgical techniques during operations on the abdominal organs requires a more thorough study of this problem by veterinary specialists. The most difficult, in terms of diagnosis and surgical treatment, are foreign bodies in the esophagus. The purpose of our work is to determine the main diagnostic criteria, compare the methods of surgical treatment of foreign bodies in the esophagus, as well as outline the basic principles for the prevention of postoperative complications.
According to our observations, based on treatment statistics, at the Department of Veterinary Surgery of the Federal State Educational Establishment of Higher Professional Education named after K.I. Scriabin from 2003 to 2009. 49 dogs with obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), 62% of the animals had foreign objects, 14% had intestinal intussusception, 18% had neoplasms, and 6% had adhesive disease. In dogs with foreign objects in the gastrointestinal tract, the site of obstruction is distributed in the following proportions: 11% is due to esophageal obstruction, 27% to the localization in the stomach, 56% to the small intestine, and 6% to the localization in the large intestine. Despite the fact that dogs are predators and the anatomical structure of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus determines the ability to swallow large pieces of food, obstruction of the esophagus in 90% of cases occurs in the diaphragm region, since the esophageal opening of the diaphragm does not have the ability to greatly expand. Most of the foreign objects that we removed from the esophagus were bone fragments, however, there were cases of extraction of rubber balls, sponges, rags, etc.
Diagnosis of foreign bodies in the esophagus consists of anamnesis and X-ray examination. According to the anamnesis, regurgitation is observed immediately (after 1-3 minutes) after taking roughage. In some cases, the animal can consume fluid in small quantities, then speak of a partial obstruction of the esophagus. With partial obstruction of the esophagus for 2-3 days, the ability to dose fluid intake due to edema of the esophageal wall may stop. To confirm the diagnosis, an x-ray is performed in a lateral projection while standing (Fig. 1), in order to be able to determine the level of free fluid in the abdominal cavity. If the foreign body is not radiopaque, then radiography is performed immediately after oral administration of a radiopaque substance (barium sulfate with kefir).

Rice. 1 Lateral chest wall x-ray of a dog in a standing position.
A foreign body is visible, coming to the diaphragm, there is no free fluid.

When confirming the diagnosis of a foreign body in the esophagus, they immediately proceed to surgical treatment. This is due to the possibility of perforation of the esophageal wall by a foreign body. In this case, the contents of the esophagus flow into the chest cavity, which will undoubtedly lead to purulent pleurisy, and this is a deadly complication.
Extraction of a foreign object from the esophagus can be carried out by intrathoracic esophagotomy, intra-abdominal gastrotomy and using a gastroscope with operational functions. The method of gastroscopy is quite simple to use: after the introduction of the gastroscope into the esophagus, fragments of the foreign body are fragmented and removed in parts. However, the high cost of the gastroscope and sets of manipulators does not yet allow it to be widely used in wide veterinary practice.
The choice of surgical methods depends on several factors: if the foreign body is in the esophagus for more than 4 days, if the free fluid in the abdominal cavity is not visible on the x-ray and there is an increase in the overall temperature, that is, when the esophagus is perforated, intrathoracic esophagotomy is performed. If there is no perforation of the esophagus and less than 3 days have passed - intra-abdominal gastrotomy.
When planning the operation, we recommend taking into account the chosen method of operation. Preparation for the operation consists in drug preparation, induction anesthesia is recommended not to be performed with xylazine in order to avoid a gag reflex. The operating field is prepared in the pre-umbilical region of the anterior chest wall and in the area of 4-10 right intercostal space.
The technique of intrathoracic esophagotomy consists in prompt access to the chest cavity on the right in the region of the 7th intercostal space. Produce tracheal intubation and connect the ventilator. An incision is made in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, intercostal muscles and pleura. With the help of a rib expander, the lungs are moved apart, the lobe of the lung is taken aside, thereby providing access to the esophagus. After assessing the size and position of the foreign object, a perpendicular incision is made in the esophagus, while simultaneously removing the contents of the esophagus using a surgical aspirator. A foreign object is removed, after which an intestinal two-story suture is applied to the wall of the esophagus. The chest wall is sutured in layers, vacuum drainage is placed. Every day, for 5 days, the release of fluid from the drainage is monitored, the drainage is removed on the 5th day after the operation. Postoperative therapy according to the generally accepted method.
The technique of intra-abdominal gastrotomy consists in prompt access to the abdominal cavity in the pre-umbilical region. The stomach is removed into the surgical wound, after which a gastrotomy is performed, with a long incision of 4-6 cm closer to the cardial part. At the same time, the assistants insert a gastric tube into the esophagus, pour 5-7 ml into the esophageal cavity. vaseline oil. The surgeon inserts his hand into the stomach, opens the cardiac sphincter with his fingers and inserts his fingers into the esophagus, palpates the foreign body. While the assistant brings the probe to the foreign body from the other side and fixes it to prevent cranial displacement. After such fixation, the surgeon with the other hand, using the Alice or Kocher clamp, under the control of the hand, removes the foreign body through the cardial part and the incision of the stomach wall. After that, the surgeon palpation examines the integrity of the wall of the esophagus. If a wall rupture is observed, then the second stage of the operation will be intrathoracic suturing of the rupture of the esophagus (see above). If no rupture of the esophagus is detected, the operation is completed: suturing the surgical wound of the stomach wall, washing the abdominal cavity and suturing the anterior abdominal wall. On the 4th day after the operation, a control radiography or ultrasound is performed to detect free fluid in the abdominal and chest cavities. Postoperative therapy according to the generally accepted technique for gastrotomy.
According to our observations, during the surgical removal of foreign objects, a large number of complications (23% of the total number of operated animals) are due to purulent complications, the cause of which is non-compliance with asepsis and antiseptics, inadequate postoperative antibiotic therapy, and failure of sutures in the esophagus or stomach.
In conclusion, we can conclude that although the diagnosis of foreign bodies in the esophageal cavity is not a problem for most doctors, however, the implementation of surgical treatment requires high professionalism, especially if the method of intrathoracic removal of a foreign body is chosen. In addition, it is necessary to carefully monitor the postoperative course of the disease and prevent the development of purulent processes in the chest or abdominal cavity.

SUMMARY
The pathological surgicalology of digestive organs at dogs is an actual problem of veterinary surgery. The pathologies connected with the presence of impassability of a gastroenteric path makes from 20 to 30% of all surgical abdominal pathology in dogs.Complexity of diagnostics and operative receptions at operations on bodies of a belly cavity demands more careful studying of the given problem by veterinary experts . The most difficult, from the point of view of diagnostics and operative treatment foreign matters in a gullet are. The purpose of our work - to define the basic diagnostic criteria to compare techniques of operative treatment of alien bodies in a gullet and as to state main principles of preventive maintenance of postoperative complications.

Literature
1. Anatomy of a dog Slesarenko N.A. Lan, St. Petersburg 2004
2. Surgery of the stomach and spleen in dogs, Timofeev S.V., Pozyabin S.V. etc. M.: Zoomedlit, 2009
3. Veterinary radiography Khan K., Hurd Ch. M.: Aquarium, 2006.
4. X-ray diagnosis of surgical diseases of the abdominal cavity in dogs Pozyabin S.V., Timofeev S.V. Veterinary medicine M.: 2006.- No. 4.-S.36-37

The work of the digestive system (more precisely, a well-coordinated and “error-free” work) is extremely important for the health of our dogs. The slightest violations are fraught with serious consequences, up to severe indigestion, exhaustion and, in some cases, death. Even “harmless”, it would seem, esophagitis can cause a lot of trouble for a pet.

So called inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. The prevalence in dogs is unknown, but it is likely to be quite wide. The problem is inadequate diagnostics associated with the poor equipment of many veterinary clinics.

Pay special attention to a pet that starts a few minutes after any anesthesia. It is very likely that he has reflux esophagitis. So far, no geographic or age-sex predisposing factors have been identified (most likely, they simply do not exist). Dogs of all breeds, of any sex and age are ill. Due to certain reasons (grinding of teeth, periodontal disease), people get sick more often

Although ... Certain breeds (for example, brachycephalic varieties and, in particular,) are at an increased risk of developing hiatal hernia, a pathological dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter. Practicing veterinarians note that there are more cases of esophagitis in such animals.

Bitches are also at risk (according to the worldwide community of veterinarians), but there are no real studies to confirm this. In addition, so far no one has been able to explain how this can be caused.

Causes and main predisposing factors

Most often, mechanical or chemical injury to the mucous membrane is to blame.. That is, in cases where a dog eats food contaminated with household chemicals, or eats greedily, the prospects for the esophagus are not very bright ... It happens that inflammation develops against the background of persistent or frequent vomiting that appears against the background of poisoning or action.

Read also: Diarrhea in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Often, inflammation of the esophagus occurs in those dogs whose owners forcefully try to feed them worm pills, without even trying to crush them beforehand to a more "sane" state. Also interesting are the cases of the disease that appeared after the ingestion of various foreign bodies. As a rule, “ill-mannered” dogs suffer from this, loving to visit all the local garbage cans. By the way, esophagitis in cats is often caused by hairballs, which are a "headache" for many representatives of long-haired breeds.

The disease is often associated with anesthesia, more precisely, with improper preparation for it. If your veterinarian says that before the operation, the pet should not eat anything, then he should not eat anything! The peculiarity of the autonomic nervous system is that during anesthesia it becomes too “autonomous”, and therefore if there is semi-digested contents in the stomach, it will go into the esophagus in a stormy stream. The mucosa of this organ is not designed to resist hydrochloric acid, which dissolves tissues and causes inflammation. And this, by the way, is the best option, because aspiration pneumonia is much worse, and often leads to death!

Certain drugs (eg, doxycycline, clindamycin, bisphosphonates) do not have a very favorable effect on the mucous membranes, so their intake should coincide with the feeding time of the animal. Finally, esophagitis is common in dogs treated with radiotherapy. However, with a successful cure for oncology, inflammation of the esophagus is a trifle.

Read also: Why is the dog scratching? Looking for dangerous symptoms

Clinical picture

The main clinical sign is vomiting, but this is a highly unreliable symptom. But! If the poisoned animal vomits “on schedule” and it is clear that something is clearly wrong with the pet, then with esophagitis the dog can vomit “out of the blue”, even in the middle of the apartment. It happens suddenly, spontaneously. Are there any other symptoms of esophagitis? Yes, there are many.

Important! Dysphagia (pain when swallowing), gagging, hypersalivation (constant drooling), persistent neck twitching, lip licking, weight loss, anorexia, and coughing can all be observed in a sick animal.

In rare cases, signs of a classic develop, but the pathological mechanism of this has not yet been studied. In addition, sick animals often have normal shortness of breath.

Watching your dog while eating is a very important diagnostic method, which is not always given due importance. By the way, how exactly can an accurate diagnosis be made? Esophagoscopy is required. The damaged mucosa is distinguished by the following visual signs of pathology:

She is very reddened (hyperemic).

Erosions, extensive and numerous ulcers can be observed, in severe cases, abundant streaks of exudate are found on the walls of the esophagus. In the chronic course of the disease, the organ undergoes fibrosis - due to the growth of connective tissue, the esophagus narrows.

The surface of the mucosa becomes "grainy", its structure changes greatly compared to normal.

Interestingly, in some cases there are no clear signs of inflammation. This is often found in humans, but in dogs, this development of the pathology is poorly described, since there are no reliable statistical data and clinical research results. In such a situation, a diagnosis of iatrogenic esophagitis in dogs can be made. It should not be confused with idiopathic (in this case, the cause is unknown, but signs of inflammation are more than obvious).

Diseases of dogs (non-infectious) Panysheva Lidia Vasilievna

Diseases of the esophagus

Blockage of the esophagus(obstructio oesophagi). Etiology. Blockage of the esophagus is more common in puppies after weaning them from their mother and is caused by swallowing various objects, such as: bones, wood, cork, etc. A foreign body can stop in the initial (cervical) part of the esophagus or go further into the chest. Depending on the shape and size of the object, the degree of closure of the lumen of the esophagus varies, and, consequently, the development of the pathological process will be accompanied by a varied picture. The act of swallowing is violated. If the blockage is incomplete, only liquid feed and water can pass through. Food that has not passed into the stomach stretches the esophagus above the blockage. Pressure on the wall of the esophagus disrupts its nutrition and irritates the mucous membrane. As a result, inflammation of this area may develop.

Clinical picture. Manifested by anxiety, vomiting, difficulty or inability to swallow, cough, shortness of breath. If the blockage occurs in the cervical part of the esophagus, then you can notice a limited painful swelling in this place. Sometimes it is possible to probe a foreign body.

With incomplete blockage of the esophagus in the thoracic part, appetite can be preserved. However, while eating food, vomiting can be observed, after which the dog is again taken for food. There is a gradual emaciation with preserved appetite.

Diagnosis placed on the basis of the picture described above. You can clarify the diagnosis by probing and x-ray examination. The x-ray picture of the blockage of the esophagus can be very different and depends on the size of the foreign body, its type and the place of the blockage. Most often, blockage of the esophagus in dogs occurs when a bone, piece of wood, or cork is stuck.

Rice. 19. Foreign body (bone) in the thoracic esophagus of a dog

When foreign bodies get stuck in the cervical esophagus, the shadow of the foreign body often becomes visible as a result of the presence of air in the lumen of the esophagus. Air in large quantities is found in front of the foreign body and in smaller quantities behind it. On a lighter background formed by air, a shadow of a foreign body is detected, and the density of the shadow of cork and wood is insignificant, the shadow of the bone is clearer, denser.

A lesion of the esophagus by a tumor can give the same shadow picture of blockage of the esophagus. In this case, the density of the tumor shadow will correspond to the shadow of the surrounding tissues, and when the esophagus is completely filled, its entire lumen will be closed. The clinical picture in this case may also be similar to blockage by foreign bodies. Therefore, when collecting anamnestic data, it is necessary to pay attention to the suddenness of the disease or the slow increase in clinical signs, which is typical for a tumor.

The x-ray picture of the blockage of the thoracic esophagus has a completely different appearance. Most often, larger foreign bodies cause blockage of the esophagus in the region of the bifurcation of the lungs. Depending on the density of foreign bodies in this area above the shadow of the heart on a light background of the lungs, one or another form and intensity of shading is detected. Foreign bodies of low density give a shadow of low density and are poorly contoured. Foreign bodies with greater density, such as bone, have well-defined boundaries, and a good x-ray can sometimes show its structural pattern.

A similar x-ray picture can be observed with an increase and compaction of the bifurcation lymph nodes, which become visible against the background of the pulmonary pattern. The final diagnosis of blockage of the esophagus in the thoracic part can be made after examining the patency of the esophagus using a contrast mass (barium sulphate with milk or yogurt) and comparing the clinical picture and anamnesis data. In the presence of blockage of the esophagus, the contrast mass will only reach the foreign body or tumor, and then the presence of the mass is imperceptible.

Rice. 20. Enlargement and thickening of the lymph nodes in the bifurcation area in a dog

Treatment. If a foreign body is located in the initial part of the esophagus, it can sometimes be removed through the oral cavity and pharynx. In cases where the blockage has occurred recently and the inflammatory reaction has not yet developed, it is possible to remove the object, causing vomiting, by prescribing apomorphine subcutaneously at a dose of 0.001–0.01. If this fails, you can try to push it into the stomach with a probe. To facilitate the passage of a foreign body, vaseline oil is prescribed, several teaspoons per reception. As a last resort, esophagotomy should be resorted to.

Spasm of the esophagus(oesophagismus). The etiology is not clear. Most authors believe that spasm of the esophagus occurs as a result of increased excitability of the vagus. When the mucous membrane of the esophagus is irritated by food particles or chemicals, a convulsive contraction of the esophagus occurs without organic changes. Hyperexcitability of the cerebral cortex probably also plays a role in causing spasm.

Clinical picture. The spasm comes on suddenly. The dog during feeding begins to worry, makes an effort to swallow the food lump, squeals, a large amount of saliva mixed with food appears from the oral cavity. Palpation of the esophagus shows its tension and pain. This lasts up to 10 minutes, and then the dog begins to eat food normally until the seizure recurs. Seizures may recur after the most indefinite time, and disappear as suddenly as they arise.

Treatment. The introduction of substances that depress the vagus and reduce the sensitivity of the mucous membrane. To do this, it is recommended to inject atropine subcutaneously at a dose of 0.001-0.0025, put enemas from chloral hydrate 0.05-1.0, bromide preparations at the usual dosage. Feeding with liquid food (broth, milk, jelly, liquid porridge).

Narrowing and expansion of the esophagus(stenosis oesophagi at dilatation oesophagi). Etiology. The reasons for the narrowing of the esophagus may be: contraction of the walls from the growth of connective tissue as a complication after esophagotomy, squeezing of the esophagus by an enlarged lymph node or tumor in nearby organs. Expansion of the esophagus, as a rule, is a consequence of its narrowing in any part.

Clinical picture manifested by difficulty swallowing, especially thick and coarse food (large pieces of meat, bread, bones, cartilage). Significant narrowing of the esophagus is manifested by antiperistaltic movements of the esophagus with the release of a large amount of saliva and food through the oral cavity. Liquid food passes more easily. Above the site of constriction, food masses are retained, creating an expansion of the esophagus. In this case, the feed masses that come out during the antiperistalsis of the esophagus have a putrid odor.

Narrowing of the esophagus, unlike blockage, develops slowly and may result in complete obstruction.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical picture and x-ray studies. An x-ray examination for the presence of a narrowing of the esophagus, especially in the cervical part, requires the use of a contrast mass. After a preliminary survey of the entire esophagus, the dog is given a contrast mass (barium sulphate) immediately before the study, or better at the time of the scan. In the latter case, it is possible to trace the movement of the contrast mass throughout the esophagus.

The X-ray picture with cicatricial narrowing of the esophagus, which can be of considerable extent, is characterized by the presence of a varying degree of expansion of the shadow of the esophagus in front of the narrowing. The dilated esophagus posteriorly narrows conically into a narrow, sometimes filiform shadow strip at the site of the narrowing of the esophagus.

Rice. 21. Expansion of the esophagus in a dog in the thoracic region

With a narrowing of the esophagus resulting from the presence of a tumor in the lumen of the esophagus, squeezing by a neoplasm located in the neighborhood, or squeezing it by enlarged lymph nodes, a “filling defect” pattern is observed. The shadow of the esophagus in the anterior segment from the site of narrowing may be of normal width or somewhat expanded. At the site of narrowing, although the shadow of the esophagus is the same in width as the overlying part, or somewhat wider, the contrast mass partially fills the esophagus, in the form of one or more stripes. Below this place, the shadow of the esophagus with a contrasting mass has a smaller width than before the place of narrowing, its lumen is completely filled.

The narrowing of the esophagus in the thoracic part, associated with the presence of a neoplasm, compression by a tumor located in the neighborhood, and thickening of the walls of the esophagus, can be assumed if a shadow of neoplasms or enlarged lymph nodes is found on the light lung field, coinciding with the location of the esophagus. The final conclusion can only be given by a study with a contrast mass.

Violation of normal patency and the presence of a "filling defect" of the esophagus in areas of the shadow of enlarged glands or the shadow of the tumor indicates a narrowing of the esophagus in this place.

Forecast adverse.

Treatment. If the cause is a tumor, it is removed by surgery. Feeding sick animals liquid feed.

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Intestinal obstruction is one of those pathologies in dogs in which a delay in medical attention leads to death. Primary signs are not always immediately pronounced and are very similar to various poisonings. Unknowingly, some dog owners try to help their pet themselves, wasting precious time and making the situation worse. It is important to know about the causes of intestinal obstruction in a dog, what symptoms it is accompanied by, so that, having noticed them immediately, consult a doctor.

There are many reasons for the blockage of the intestinal lumen, they can be conditionally divided into three groups.

Mechanical obstruction occurs most often. Her reasons:

indigestible food. It can be boiled or raw bones, veins that are difficult for the dog to chew and she swallows them whole;
a large portion of food that is given to a dog that has been starving for a long time;
foreign objects that the dog swallows during games, pampering or training;
accumulation in the intestines of a large number of worms after deworming. It is mostly seen in puppies.

Mechanical obstruction occurs mainly due to the fault of the owner. When purchasing a dog, you should familiarize yourself with the rules for feeding a pet and study what should not be included in his diet.

Deworming should be carried out at least once every three months, even if the animal walks near the house and communicates little with relatives.

For games and training, it is necessary to use only special items, toys. Stones, small sticks with bark, rubber or foam rubber objects should not be given to the dog in any case.

If there are children in the house, then their toys should be inaccessible to the dog, as well as any small interior and household items.

When walking, the pet must be on a leash and it must be ensured that he does not try to swallow any objects. It happens that even trained dogs, smelling an object with an attractive smell, forget about all the skills and prohibitions, and swallow it.

Pathological obstruction - occurs due to neoplasm in the intestine.

Physiological- this is a volvulus of the intestine or stomach due to activity immediately after eating, infringement of a hernia, squeezing of the intestines by other organs, trauma to the abdominal cavity.

Intestinal obstruction can be acute and chronic:

Acute comes on suddenly, develops rapidly, the signs are pronounced. This species is very dangerous, but due to the fact that the symptoms are noticeable, dog owners quickly respond and go to the clinic - the prognosis for recovery is favorable.
Chronic obstruction does not immediately manifest itself and, most often, is associated with diseases of the digestive tract.

How to recognize an ailment

Symptoms are similar to signs of poisoning:

weakness, malaise;
refusal of food and water;
vomit;
bloating;
stomach ache.

These signs appear very first. When walking an animal, you should pay attention to whether there was a bowel movement during a walk.

Lack of bowel movements, combined with vomiting, refusal to eat, and abdominal pain, is the main symptom of bowel obstruction.

Having noticed these symptoms, you should contact the veterinarian as soon as possible, establish an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment.

Without treatment, the dog's condition will worsen:

the tone of the abdominal muscles will increase. At the same time, the pet may try to stretch its hind legs, straining their tips;
gases accumulate in the stomach, which make themselves felt with a strong grumbling;
strong belching, unpleasant smell from the mouth;
vomiting does not stop, in some cases, feces may come out with vomit.

At this stage, necrosis of part of the intestine occurs, its rupture, intoxication of the body, severe dehydration, loss of salts and protein. At this stage, the dog can not always be saved.

It should be borne in mind that intestinal obstruction may be partial. At the same time, there is a small gap in the intestine through which gases and a certain amount of feces can escape. As a dog owner, this can be confusing and deter you from visiting the doctor. You need to know that partial obstruction is just as dangerous as complete.

First aid for a dog

If bowel obstruction is suspected, the dog cannot be treated on its own.

Antiemetic drugs are contraindicated, laxatives for constipation should not be given, forced to eat and drink.

To alleviate the condition, you can give your pet an antispasmodic or pain medication.

Every opportunity should be found to deliver the animal to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. The death of a dog with blockage of the intestine can occur in 2-3 days, in some cases a little later.

Diagnosis and treatment

For diagnosis, carry out:

palpation of the abdomen to identify seals, increased tone and pain;
analysis of urine and blood to determine the degree of intoxication of the body;
x-ray examination;

Some objects that have entered the intestines are not visible on x-rays. To clarify the obstruction and determine the location of a foreign object, the dog is drunk with a contrast agent.

After that, after certain periods of time, several x-rays are taken. They trace the movement of the contrast agent through the esophagus, stomach and intestines. When its progress stops, it is possible to determine where the blockage occurred in the intestine.

The doctor's task is to determine whether it is possible to remove a foreign object without surgical intervention. If possible, then:

they wash the intestines by introducing special preparations or decoctions of herbs into it with the help of an enema;
prescribe a medicine that stimulates the intestines, it is administered as an injection or dropper;
it is necessary to introduce saline solutions to restore the water-salt balance, which is disturbed due to intoxication and vomiting;
If you are in severe pain, you will need painkillers.

In some cases, surgery is required for diagnosis. An operation is performed in which the cause of the blockage, the severity of the intestinal lesion, and possible complications in the form of ruptures are determined.

Simultaneously with the diagnosis, the cause of the obstruction is eliminated. With severe tissue damage and death, part of the intestine is removed.

Restorative Therapy

If the cause of obstruction was eliminated without surgical intervention, then restorative therapy includes:

diet
peace at first;
according to the doctor's prescription - special physical exercises and therapeutic massage of the abdomen.

The food should consist of liquid food, it needs to be warmed up a little. The frequency of feeding is at least 5 times a day, portions are small. The daily portion is increased gradually.

If the treatment was performed surgically, then the recovery will be long. At first, the dog should be under the supervision of a doctor, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs are prescribed. For several days the animal is not fed, the body is supported with saline.

Prevention

There are several ways to prevent intestinal obstruction, which occurs due to the swallowing of foreign objects by a dog:

strict training, during which the pet must understand and remember well that it is impossible to pick up objects;
it is necessary to remove all small objects with which she can play during the absence of the owner from the dog’s access zone;
if the dog is wayward, capricious, or not trained, then you should walk only on a leash and control its actions;
boiled and tubular bones are contraindicated;
toys should be purchased only in specialized stores.

If you suspect a blockage of the intestine, contact the veterinary clinic should be immediate.

The curiosity of our four-legged explorers knows no bounds. They are ready to try on the tooth not only new delicacies, but also everything that comes their way. Is it any wonder that at one point they swallow some, be it a stick, paper or a piece of rubber toy. Fortunately, in most cases, these things pass through the digestive tract without problems, surprising the owners at the exit with the quirkiness of the pet's culinary preferences. However, sometimes luck changes the animal, and the foreign body is firmly stuck in the stomach or intestines.

Without a timely response, such a situation can cost the health, and even the life of your four-legged pet, which is why it is so important to recognize the danger in time and seek help.

How to know if a dog has eaten a foreign body

Even if you didn’t notice how the inedible object disappeared into the dog’s mouth, you should be alerted by signs indicating a possible obstruction:

Vomit. Involuntary eruption of ingested food or water occurs immediately after eating or drinking. However, if it is not the stomach that is clogged, but the intestines, it can take from a few minutes to a couple of hours from the moment of the meal. The main thing that should alert the owner is the regularity of vomiting. That is, everything that the dog tries to swallow comes back after a short time.
Diarrhea. Liquid stools often contain large amounts of mucus or traces of blood. If the dog swallowed a sharp object that injured the walls of the stomach or intestines, the stool may be black - a sign of heavy internal bleeding.
Soreness of the abdomen. The posture of the animal speaks of pain - a hunched back and a tense, tucked-up stomach. The dog does not allow himself to be touched, whines when touched to the peritoneum.
Lack of appetite. The dog is not only the usual food, but also a treat. Most often, the animal does not even approach the bowl, or, becoming interested for a second, sniffs and turns away.
Strain during defecation. The dog sits down several times, straining, groans and groans, sometimes squeals during the act of defecation. As a rule, when the gastrointestinal tract is blocked by a foreign body, only small portions of feces come out of the animal. This, by the way, is another of the main signs of obstruction.
Weakness. Loss of fluid and electrolytes important for life (potassium, sodium) leads to dehydration of the body and, as a result, weakness and depression. You can check how dehydrated your pet's body is with a simple test: grab the dog's skin with two fingers and pull it as far as possible. If the skin does not even out within a few seconds, fluid loss has reached a critical point.
Change in behavior. Lack of interest in life, depression and unwillingness to communicate indicate that the dog is not feeling well. In addition, manifestations of aggression are possible when trying to feel the stomach or examine the pet's mouth.
Cough. If the foreign body is lodged in the throat or airways, the dog may try to get rid of the object. In this case, there may be increased salivation and convulsive attempts to swallow.

The insidiousness of this condition is that the symptoms of obstruction do not appear immediately. For several days or even weeks after swallowing the object, the dog may feel well, and the above signs may appear intermittently or not at all. However, then the condition of the animal deteriorates sharply.

Medical diagnostics

At the first sign of a foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract, we recommend that you immediately consult a doctor. Remember that such a problem is very difficult to diagnose, as they say, "by eye" - only clinical studies can confirm or refute the diagnosis.

Palpation of the abdominal cavity. If the foreign body is quite large and dense, such as a rubber ball, it is quite possible to feel it through the walls of the stomach. However, even if nothing is found on palpation, this is not a reason to exhale with relief. A huge number of items, such as a rag, a bag or a thread, cannot be felt by hand.
X-ray. During the study, stones, metal and rubber objects are clearly visible. Or, if the foreign body is not detected, the doctor may notice changes in the internal organs that are characteristic of the presence of a foreign body.
radiographic study. To track the progress of the object through the stomach and intestines, a contrast agent (most often barium) is used, which is given to the dog inside.
Endoscopy. Today it is considered the best method for diagnosing a foreign body.
Laboratory research. To rule out other causes of your pet's discomfort, the doctor may prescribe a blood test for a biochemical analysis.

What to do?

The main problem in this situation is the critical amount of time allotted for the choice of therapy and the actual treatment. A foreign body compresses vital vessels, leading to tissue necrosis and the development of peritonitis. That is why it is so important for owners to listen to the recommendations of the veterinarian and follow his instructions, because we are talking about the life of a pet.

If the item is stuck shallowly and, you can try to get it with your hand, tweezers or a medical forceps. To avoid injury, a special latch is inserted into the animal's mouth to prevent jaw compression.

If ingestion of a foreign body is noticed immediately, the best course of action is to induce the dog to vomit with a 1.5% hydrogen peroxide solution. Peroxide, entering the gastrointestinal tract, expands, irritating the walls of the stomach. As a general rule, if vomiting is induced within 2 hours of ingestion, the item will come out without causing much harm.

Another effective way to induce vomiting is to pour a tablespoon of salt on the root of the dog's tongue (the dose is given for a large dog). Irritation of the receptors leads to an involuntary gag reflex. Just do not forget to offer the dog water later - salt and subsequent vomiting causes intense thirst.

To envelop a foreign body and facilitate its passage through the gastrointestinal tract, vaseline oil is used, which is poured into the dog's mouth. Due to the fact that this substance is not absorbed by the walls of the stomach, it helps to reduce the muscles of the intestine and smoother passage of the object through the digestive tract.

If a sharp object, such as a needle, gets into the stomach, it is recommended to moisten a small piece of cotton wool with vaseline oil and feed it to the pet. Cotton fibers wrap around the tip and the object, without causing harm, will come out with the feces.

If the foreign body does not come out on its own, the doctor may recommend surgery. During the operation, the veterinarian opens the intestinal wall and removes the object. In case of detection of necrotic areas, a resection (excision) of a part of the stomach or intestines is performed.

After the end of the operation, the animal must be under to prevent the opening of internal bleeding or the development of peritonitis.

What Not to Do

Sometimes, wanting to help a pet, the owners, unwittingly, significantly worsen its condition by performing unnecessary or dangerous actions. What should not be done under any circumstances?

Pull the object yourself from the throat or anus. Trying to get a protruding object, you can further injure the walls of the stomach or larynx. Especially dangerous is the removal of hard or sharp objects, as well as bodies with a jagged surface. It is no less dangerous to pull out various threads or ropes. In the process of passing through the gastrointestinal tract, they can get confused or, clinging to something, lead to ruptures of the walls of the stomach or intestines.
Give antiemetics. Medicinal substances that block vomiting urges do not improve the situation in any way, but only deprive the animal of the chance to get rid of the foreign body on its own and blur the clinical picture of the disease.
Do an enema. Firstly, the enema irritates the intestinal wall, and secondly, if a foreign body has led to a blockage, water, not finding a way out, can lead to rupture of internal organs and peritonitis.
Give food or water. Any products that enter the gastrointestinal tract cause new bouts of vomiting, which leads to rapid dehydration of the animal.

The following items are of particular danger to our pets:

Batteries. The acid contained in the batteries can enter the dog's stomach, causing a chemical burn and.
Magnets. Small magnetic balls swallowed by an animal are unevenly distributed in the gastrointestinal tract and, through the walls of the stomach or intestines, literally stick to each other, clamping living tissues together. Necrosis and foci of inflammation form very quickly at the junction.
Cotton swabs. Absorbing water and increasing in size, tampons, firstly, accelerate dehydration, and secondly, tightly clog the lumen, practically not moving due to the fleecy cotton structure.
Threads and rubber bands. A long thread, despite its thinness, can cause great trouble. The rings of the gastrointestinal tract are literally strung on it and gather into an accordion, also causing necrosis and rupture of intestinal sections. The elastic band, having contracted, can, like a fishing line, cut fabrics.
Cat litter. Any liquid that gets on the filler granules causes them to stick together into a lump. Once in the dog's stomach, the filler increases several times in size and causes obstruction.

How to keep your dog safe

To avoid the horrors described above, simply do not let your dog eat inedible or dangerous items:

If the pet is prone to, keep it on a walk on a leash or wear a muzzle that covers its mouth.
Do not give him with sharp edges, but it is better to exclude boiled bones from the diet altogether.
Offer for leisure large sizes that cannot be swallowed. The safest are toys made of solid rubber, from which it is impossible to bite off a piece.
Let your pet chew on dried treats only in your presence and take small pieces in a timely manner.
At home, keep all small and unsafe objects out of sight. Hide all kinds of magnetic constructors and puzzles away from sin.

And, most importantly, devote as much time as possible to the dog, teach her not to pick up anything on the street or in the apartment, and if she takes something in her mouth, spit it out on command. So you are guaranteed to save your own nerves, as well as the life and health of your beloved four-legged friend.