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The Case of a Linear Foreign Body
Alka was a 10 months old English Cocker Spaniel. She was presented to our surgery with a history of chronic vomitimg. She was vomiting for more then ten days and treated for vomiting by a local veterinary surgeon without any success. Alka was loosing weight and refusing to eat. With each following day she was getting weaker and weaker.
After taking history from the owners we examined Alka. Alka was apathic and slightly dehydrated. By aulscutation of her thoracic cavity we didn't discover any pathological sounds. Palpation of the abdominal cavity caused pain and discomfort to Alka. By palpation we discoverd soft, 10 cm in diametar enlargement in the caudal abdomen. We suspected either the presence of a foreign body within the intestines or diseases such as intestinal invagination, ileus etc.
The next step was an x-ray examiation. The x-ray examination confirmed the diagnosis of a foreign body. The only way to save Alka's life was to perform a surgery as soon as possible. Alka was rehydrated and she also received all the necessary preoperative treatment.
Diagnose of the foreign body was confirmed during the surgery. It was a linear foreign body starting from the base of the tongue, going through the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. After the dissection of the intestine wall we discovered the audio tape which was swallowed by the dog. The part of the tape was hooked to the base of the tongue. After taking the whole tape out, the surgery was finished in a routine matter.
small intestines during
the surgery |
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removal of the tape from
the intestines |
The postoperative treatment was discussed with the first opinion vet. We spoke with Alka's owner every day during Alka's recovery period. 10 days after the surgery we removed the stitches from the wound. Both the owners and we were fully satisfied with Alka's recovery. She was as playful and happy as before.
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 X – ray of the abdomen
 The tape fixed around the base of the tongue
 removed audio tape as linear foreign body
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