Presentation
Three-day history of lethargy, anorexia and two bouts of vomiting.
Patient Data
There is marked gas and fluid distention of multiple loops of small bowel as well as other loops of small intestine that appear within normal limits. In the caudoventral abdomen, there is a focal area of regularly spaced radiolucencies within the small intestine that represent a foreign body such as a corn cob. There is a large volume of gas within the colon. There is mild loss of serosal detail. The splenic margin is mildly irregular with a rounded nodule appearing to protrude from the margin of the spleen, noted on the right lateral projection.
Impression:
Small intestinal mechanical obstruction - corn cob. Peritoneal effusion - transudate, exudate, hemorrhage.
Case Discussion
The distinctive kernel pattern with rows of gas lucencies is suggestive of a corn cob. One the left lateral the distal end is highlighted by gas, strengthening the diagnosis of an intraluminal foreign body. On the right lateral projection, the corn cob is surrounded by fluid. Peritoneal fluid with a foreign body can be due to intestinal perforation, leading to sepsis.
The corn cob was surgically removed from the jejunum, and a second piece was milked out of the colon. The peritoneal effusion was septic with positive bacterial culture. The splenic nodules were extramedullary hematopoeisis and nodular hyperplasia. The abdomen was lavaged at surgery, however the dog developed shock postoperatively and was euthanized.
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.