Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs

Many dogs eat things that they shouldn’t, and this sometimes causes serious problems. Foreign body means something that shouldn’t be inside the body. Many objects can pass through without causing issues, but if signs of obstruction or perforation develop, emergency treatment is required.

The structure and muscles of the digestive tract are very good at moving things along, but there are many areas that are narrow or have twists and turns. Solid objects can become lodged like a cork. Pointy or sharp objects can be pushed through the gut and damage other organs, or cause food and gut bacteria to leak into their tummy. Even if none of these happens, some objects can cause damage while moving along. Depending on the object and where it causes problems, symptoms can develop very quickly or happen over weeks to months.

Overview

What are the possible consequences of an ingested foreign body?

Perforation caused by a sharp or pointy object may be very painful and will quickly cause your dog to become poorly.

If the object becomes lodged at the back of the mouth or throat, it may immediately cause pain and severe distress.
Objects that make it to the stomach or intestines before perforating may cause:
- Tummy pain
- Tummy swelling
- Fever
- Red gums
- Lack of energy or collapse

Consequences of a foreign body obstruction will depend on where the foreign body sits:

Objects can become lodged between the teeth or penetrate into the gum.
Throat and esophageal foreign bodies may cause a dog to be unable to swallow, and cause regurgitation of food. In severe cases there may also be breathing problems.
If located in the stomach, two different situations can develop:
- A foreign object loose in the stomach will cause discomfort and repeated bouts of vomiting, but the intensity may vary greatly
- If the object becomes lodged in the narrowest part, which is the exit from the stomach, dogs will suddenly be very unwell and vomit a lot.
When the object is in the small intestine, two types of obstruction may happen:
- Partial obstruction, where fluid and gas passes through but with difficulty, and more solid material builds up over time. This can still cause severe disease and damage to the gut.
- Complete obstruction, where nothing passes beyond the object. This leads to massive gas and fluid build-up and quickly becomes life-threatening.
A special type of obstruction is what is called a linear foreign body, and can happen easily with thread, rope or cloth materials. One end of a long object becomes trapped while the body continues to try to push the rest of the object along. This leads to severe and extensive damage to large parts of the gut, and it causes the gut to “bunch up” or plicate, like the opening of a bin bag when you pull the tie.
Most objects that reach the large intestine will be passed out, but some can still get stuck or cause damage.

Some objects, like batteries and coins, can leak dangerous substances that can cause local damage or be absorbed into the blood.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a gastrointestinal foreign body in dogs

Symptoms may be slightly different for each of the situations described above.

Perforations may cause:
- Pain
- Lack of energy
- Fever
- Red or bright pink gums
- Tummy swelling
- Breathing problems
Objects stuck in the mouth may cause dogs to be:
- Restless
- Unable to eat
- Distressed
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- A foul smell may develop over days if the object isn’t removed.
Throat and oesophagus:
- Dry heaving or retching
- Immediate regurgitation of food and sometimes water
- Exaggerated swallowing movements
- Drooling
- Changes in breathing
Partial obstructions or loose objects in the stomach or small intestine may cause:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Gas build-up
- Loud gurgling sounds
- Pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy
Complete obstructions may cause:
- Severe vomiting
- Pain
- Tummy swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy

Risk

Dogs at higher risk of gastrointestinal foreign bodies

Any dog can ingest a foreign body and develop disease, but this is more common in younger dogs. A few breeds seem to do this more often:

Labrador Retriever
English Bull Terrier
Springer Spaniel
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Border Collies
Jack Russell Terriers

Many dogs are repeat offenders and will ingest foreign bodies multiple times. Complications become more likely, and surgery more difficult, when this happens.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal foreign body in dogs

Sometimes you may know that your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, or that they have been rummaging in the bin or some other unpleasant place. Tests may still help evaluate the situation. These are definitely needed if a dog has the typical symptoms but no cause is known. Tests may include:

X-rays. These are very useful for bones and metallic or very dense objects. Many commonly ingested materials are invisible on x-ray, but the vet may still see swelling or distention to suggest something is there.
Ultrasound scans can detect most gastric and intestinal foreign bodies, and are also able to diagnose other causes of intestinal obstruction that can be confused with foreign bodies.
Endoscopy is the best way to detect objects in the oesophagus and stomach, and in some cases is able to remove them as well.

Dogs that become seriously ill with a foreign body will often require other tests to monitor complications, such as blood tests or an Electrocardiogram.

Vet treatment

Vet treatment of gastrointestinal foreign bodies

A foreign body that causes a perforation or obstruction is a surgical emergency, as the damage to the gut and the rest of the body will quickly escalate. Removing the foreign body and managing the damaged tissue is the priority, but in some cases correcting electrolyte imbalances and other complications first will improve the outcome. Other treatments may also be needed:

Intravenous fluids via a drip
Pain medication
Antibiotics

Obstructions can be successfully treated in the majority of cases, especially if detected early. Even then, there is a significant (around 5%) risk of serious complications in the first week after surgery.

Intensive care may be needed for several days, if there was significant damage to the gut. If a large portion of the gut was damaged and needed to be removed, long-term precautions may be required to prevent digestive complications and improve digestive function.

Perforations have a worse prognosis, with some studies indicating that only 50% of dogs recover.

Home treatment

Home treatment of gastrointestinal foreign bodies.

If you think your dog ingested something dangerous or you’re unsure, it’s always best to speak to a vet for further advice. Joii vets are available 24/7.

Many objects will pass through with no or minimal issues, for example short and soft fabrics.

Organic material, such as wood and bones may pass without problems but do carry a risk.

In these cases, feeding small and frequent meals may help keep things moving while avoiding excessive distension of the gut.

Monitor your dog closely and speak to a vet straight away if they show any signs of being unwell.

Prevention

How can I prevent my dog from ingesting a foreign body?

Ingesting foreign material can be an ongoing issue for some dogs, with significant risks. A few precautions may help:

Remove any toys or materials that are small enough for your dog to swallow, or that they have chewed up before. They might decide to eat them one day.
Train your dog to drop what they have and always carry a favourite treat to exchange for anything they might have picked up
If your dog is a repeat offender, the safest thing for them may be to wear a basket muzzle when outside and stay in a crate when home alone.
If your dog shows signs of compulsive behaviours, these may need to be addressed by a registered animal behaviourist and a vet as medication may be required.

When to worry