Esophageal foreign body obstruction caused by a dental chew treat in 31 dogs (2000–2006)

Michael S. LeibVirginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061

Search for other papers by Michael S. Leib in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
 DVM, MS, DACVIM
and
Laura Lee SartorSmall Animal Internal Medicine, Oradell Animal Hospital Inc, 580 Winters Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652

Search for other papers by Laura Lee Sartor in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
 DVM, DACVIM
View More View Less
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.232.7.1021
Volume/Issue:
Volume 232: Issue 7
Online Publication Date:
01 Apr 2008
Restricted access
Sign In Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome associated with esophageal obstruction caused by a dental chew treat in dogs.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—31 dogs.

Procedures—Medical records were contributed from 19 hospitals via responses to a questionnaire that was developed for veterinarians who managed the cases.

Results—Esophageal obstructions with the dental chew treat occurred primarily in small dogs (26/31 [83.9%]). The most common clinical signs were gagging, regurgitation, vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. Diagnosis was usually made via survey thoracic radiography. Obstructions were most commonly located in the distal portion of the esophagus (23/31; 74.2%). Esophageal lesions were moderate or severe in 86.7% (26/30) of the dogs. Orad endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies was uncommon (8/31 [25.8%]); most were pushed into the stomach. Thoracotomy was necessary in 6 dogs. Esophageal strictures developed in 6 of 25 (24%) dogs that survived initial hospitalization. Overall mortality rate was 25.8%.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Esophageal obstructions with a dental chew treat were difficult to remove orally via endoscopy, resulted in moderate or severe esophageal damage, frequently were associated with stricture formation, and were associated with a high mortality rate.

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome associated with esophageal obstruction caused by a dental chew treat in dogs.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—31 dogs.

Procedures—Medical records were contributed from 19 hospitals via responses to a questionnaire that was developed for veterinarians who managed the cases.

Results—Esophageal obstructions with the dental chew treat occurred primarily in small dogs (26/31 [83.9%]). The most common clinical signs were gagging, regurgitation, vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. Diagnosis was usually made via survey thoracic radiography. Obstructions were most commonly located in the distal portion of the esophagus (23/31; 74.2%). Esophageal lesions were moderate or severe in 86.7% (26/30) of the dogs. Orad endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies was uncommon (8/31 [25.8%]); most were pushed into the stomach. Thoracotomy was necessary in 6 dogs. Esophageal strictures developed in 6 of 25 (24%) dogs that survived initial hospitalization. Overall mortality rate was 25.8%.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Esophageal obstructions with a dental chew treat were difficult to remove orally via endoscopy, resulted in moderate or severe esophageal damage, frequently were associated with stricture formation, and were associated with a high mortality rate.

Contributor Notes

Presented in part at the Comparative Gastroenterology Society, Winter Park, Colo, February 2006; the 24th Annual Meeting of the American College of Veterinary Medicine, Louisville, June 2006; the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Fla, January 2007; and the 25th Annual Meeting of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Seattle, June 2007.

The authors thank Drs. Cary Bassett, Gary Block, Julie Byron, Leah Cohn, Angelyn Cornetta, Maryann Crawford, Britt Culver, Mark Dorfman, Derek Duval, Michelle Edwards, Mark Elie, Chen Gilor, Wayne Hause, Silke Hecht, Susan Hodge, Amy Holford, Shawn Kearns, David J. Krahwinkel, Jessica Lin, Orla Mahoney, Meri Miller, Kenneth Moore, Susan O'Bell, Steven Roberts, Tracey Rossi, Liz Rozanski, Kirk Ryan, Michael Schaer, Rebecca Seaman, Kathleen Sennello, Polina Vishkautsan, Jinelle Webb, Christina Wolf, and Dara Zerrenner for submitting cases or data.

Address correspondence to Dr. Leib.
Cover Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN:
0003-1488
Publication Date:
01 Apr 2008
  • 1.

    Michels GM, Jones BD, Huss BT, et al. Endoscopic and surgical retrieval of fishhooks from the stomach and esophagus in dogs and cats: 75 cases (1977–1993). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995;207:1194–1197.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Luthi C. Esophageal foreign bodies in dogs: 51 cases (1992–1997). Eur J Comp Gastroenterol 1998;3:7–11.

  • 3.

    Parker NR, Walter PA, Gay J. Diagnosis and surgical management of esophageal perforation. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1989;25:587–594.

  • 4.

    Ryan WW, Greene RW. The conservative management of esophageal foreign bodies and their complications: a review of 66 cases in dogs and cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1975;11:243–249.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Houlton EF, Herrtage ME, Taylor PM, et al. Thoracic oesophageal foreign bodies in the dog: a review of ninety cases. J Small Anim Pract 1985;26:521–536.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Moore AH. Removal of oesophageal foreign bodies in dogs: use of the fluoroscopic method and outcome. J Small Anim Pract 2001;42:227–230.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Spielman BL, Shaker EH, Garvey MS. Esophageal foreign body in dogs: a retrospective study of 23 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1992;28:570–574.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Sale CS, Williams JM. Results of transthoracic esophagotomy retrieval of esophageal foreign body obstructions in dogs: 14 cases (2000–2004). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2006;42:450–456.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    The VOHC Seal of Acceptance. Available at: www.vohc.org. Accessed Jul 24, 2007.

  • 10.

    S&M NuTec LLC. The Greenies Company. Available at: www.greenies.com. Accessed Jul 24, 2007.

  • 11.

    Cohn LA, Stoll M, Branson K, et al. Fatal hemothorax following management of an esophageal foreign body. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2003;39:251–256.

  • 12.

    Melendez L, Twedt D, Weyrauch E, et al. Conservative therapy using balloon dilation for intramural, inflammatory esophageal strictures in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 23 cases. (1987–1997). Eur J Comp Gastroenterol 1998;3:31–36.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Leib MS, Ward D, Reimer M, et al. Endoscopic balloon dilation of benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med 2001;15:547–552.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Harai BH, Johnson SE, Sherding RG. Endoscopically guided balloon dilatation of benign esophageal strictures in 6 cats and 7 dogs. J Vet Intern Med 1995;9:332–335.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15.

    Veterinary Information Network. Dental treats and obstructions survey. Available at: www.vin.com/Members/SearchDB/Misc/M10000/M06462.htm. Accessed Jul 24, 2007.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Advertisement