Dealing With Foreign Bodies
Part 1
Objects which become lodged in various parts of an animal’s digestive tract are referred to collectively as foreign bodies. The subject is complex as the object may become arrested at any one of a number of sites. Not only will the symptoms vary but also the seriousness of the situation, therefore the subject will be discussed from beginning to end, dividing the various types of foreign body cases into geographical or anatomical areas.
1. Mouth.
2. Throat.
3. Gullet (oesophagus).
4. Stomach.
5. Intestines.
6. Rectum.
1. Mouth
The most common form of this mishap is a bit of bone or wood becoming firmly lodged across the roof of the mouth, between the back molars on each side of the upper jaw. Such an object may become tightly fixed. In most instances these can be successfully dislodged by opening the dog’s mouth and levering the wedged object out with a finger or the handle end of a spoon.
Care should be taken not to allow the dog to close his mouth until the object is well outside the mouth, otherwise he may swallow it. In some cases, however, the object becomes so firmly fixed that dental forceps may be required to dislodge it.
The signs of a foreign body in the mouth are usually obvious. The animal claws and paws frantically at his mouth, salivates profusely, and is, of course, unable to eat food. Whilst such cases are not really dangerous to the animal’s life, the sooner the offending object is removed, the better.
Needles are a different matter; they may break in the mouth, leaving the point firmly embedded in the palate or tongue. Anaesthesia and an X-ray examination are essential in most of these cases, firstly in order to facilitate the removal of the embedded portion, and secondly to find out whether the broken-off portion has been expelled, or swallowed to cause further trouble lower down.
2. Throat
Choking can happen when there is an obstruction in the airway. A foreign object can cause swelling and choking is the result. It is a common problem in pets to have something stuck in the throat. Like small children sometimes dogs will put things into their mouth out of curiosity to see if it is something they can eat.
Foreign objects need to be removed immediately. After removal check for any wounds that may result from the object. Be very careful putting your hand into your dog’s mouth as he may try to bite out of fear. DO NOT remove anything unless you can see it.
You can also remove objects by lifting and suspending a small dog (head down) or you can lift a large dog by the rear legs and tilt until the head is tilted down.
If that doesn’t work you can try a modified Heimlich maneuver can be attempted. Grasp the animal around the waist so that the rear is nearest to you, similar to a bear hug. Place a fist just behind the ribs. Compress the abdomen several times (usually 3 to 5 times) with quick pushes. Check the mouth to see if the foreign object has been removed.
Even if you are successful in removing a foreign object, veterinary examination is recommended.
3. Gullet (oesophagus)
It is usually medium-sized portions of bone that become lodged in the oesophagus, the channel which connects the mouth with the stomach. A simple way to identify this condition is to give the animal one or two small pieces of meat. If the foreign body is present in the oesophagus the dog will vomit the meat, almost at once.
The oesophagus is divided into two main regions—the head or front end situated in the neck region, and the stomach or lower end situated within the chest cavity or thorax. The latter position is a more serious site of obstruction as injury to the gullet in this region endangers many vital organs and nerves. In any case, or suspected case, of oesophageal obstruction X-ray or surgical measures are essential as rapidly as possible, in order to locate and remove the object.
Objects in the oesophagus are often spiky or pointed, or have sharp protrusions, and massage of the dog’s neck in an endeavour to move the obstruction should be avoided; it might result in laceration of the lining of the gullet.
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