To recut or not : the post-operative dilemma of a linear foreign body in a dog

Abstract

A 9 year old spayed female Mountain Cur dog presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals with a history of carpet ingestion and vomiting of 24 hours' duration. She subsequently underwent surgical removal of a gastrointestinal linear foreign body and the viability of a major portion of small intestine was questioned. No intestinal resection was performed and on post-operative day 3 she developed signs consistent with septic peritonitis. Several diagnostic procedures were performed and it was determined that re-laparotomy would not be performed based on clinical appearance, diagnostic findings and other factors such as cost and prognosis. The development of pancreatitis was suspected post-operatively as well, although further pancreatitis-specific diagnostics were not pursued due to resolution of signs. The dog was carefully monitored and treated continuously with intravenous fluids (crystalloids and colloids), analgesic medications, antiemetics and antibiotics. She was discharged from the hospital on post-operative day 6 and continued to make a full recovery without returning to surgery.