Foreign Body Surgery

~ELYSSA SCHWARZ~
Signalment and Description
Patient: Rocky
Species: Canine
Breed: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Color: Tricolor
Age: 4 years
Sex: Male, Neutered
Weight: 132.00 lbs.
History
The owner called on Wednesday, April
19, and said Rocky had eaten part of his
dog containing polyester stuffing. This
had occurred the previous Thursday.
He vomited 5 times on Saturday.
Rockys last bowel movement had been
on Monday and the owner was unsure of
the consistency.
Rocky had stopped eating Tuesday night.
Disposition has been normal and he
didnt seem painful upon palpation.
Diagnostics
Radiographs
Rocky was sedated with Dexdomitor/Torbugesic.
Abdominal x-rays were taken
The stomach was filled with ingesta type material
There was nothing in the small or large intestine
CBC: Within normal limits
Mild elevation in creatinine: 1.9
The owner was called and gave permission to do
an exploratory surgery.
 Calculations

Dexdomitor: 1.6 ml

Torbugesic: 1.32 ml
0.1 ml/10 lbs
0.1 x 13.2 = 1.32 mls
Side Effects of Dex/Torb
Dexdomitor:
Bradycardia
Decreased respiration
Hypothermia
Urination
Vomiting
Hyperglycemia
Pain on injection (IM)

Torbugesic
Respiratory Depression
Radiographs
Induction Drugs
Ketamine: 3.25 mls
Increases heart rate
Hallucinations
Respiratory Depression
Vomiting
Hypersalivation
Pain after injection
Prolonged recovery (vocalization)
Hyperthermia

Valium: 3.25 mls

Sedation
Ataxia
Excitement
Increased appetite
Agitation

Isoflurane (2%)
Hypotension
Respiratory Depression
Nausea/vomiting
Arrhythmias
Other Drugs
Tramadol (50 mgs) (Analgesic)
Excessive sedation
Agitation
Anxiety
Tremors/dizziness
Inappetance
Vomiting/constipation/diarrhea

Amoxicillin (500 mgs) (Antibiotic)

Hypersensitivity reactions
Anorexia/vomiting/diarrhea
In high doses: difficulty breathing, edema, tachycardia

Cefazolin injection (Antibiotic)

Hypersensitivity reactions
Painful IM injection
High doses can cause seizures

Metacam (0.2 mg/kg, 5 mg/ml) (NSAID)

0.2 x 60 / 4 = 2.4 mls
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Inappetence
Surgery Prep
Rocky was still sedated with Dex/Torb.
An IV catheter was placed and he was given IV fluids.
Rocky was induced with Ketamine/Valium, intubated,
and maintained on isoflurane at 2%. Cefazolin (1320 mg
total) was started as well.
A Metacam injection (2.4 ml) was given.
Rockys abdomen was shaved and prepped with
chlorhexidine and alcohol and he was placed on the
operating table and hooked up to monitoring equipment.
 Surgical Procedure
An exploratory surgery was performed
in Rockys stomach. His stomach was
full of soft contents. There was a lot of
bedding material in small pieces
which was removed and the pylorus
was packed full.
I got to glove up and hold the stomach
out of the abdomen while the doctor
pulled out pieces of bedding.
I also held while the doctor sutured up
the stomach.
 After the bedding was
removed from the
stomach, the doctor
inspected the rest of
the intestines to make
sure there were no
pieces left over.
When none were
found, the stomach
was sutured up and the
abdomen was flushed
with 1 liter of sterile
saline to flush out and
dilute the bacteria.
 Prognosis for Rocky is very good as long as
instructions are followed, his incision is watched
carefully, and he doesnt eat any more bedding in
the future.
Discharge Instructions
When you return home:
Keep your pet in a clean environment that is quiet, warm, and dry. House your pet
indoors.
Restrict your pets activity. Walk dogs only on a leash and discourage running,
jumping, or rough play for 7-10 days.
Dogs MUST be walked on a leash to use the bathroom outside.
Check your pets surgical site. If your pet is wearing an E-collar, do not remove for
7-14 days, or until your pet seems uninterested in licking the incision site. This e-
collar should be worn 24 hours a day. Be prepared for your pet to act negatively
at first. To make eating and drinking easier, move bowls away from the wall.
Do not give Aspirin, Advil, or Tylenol to your pet. These medications can be
deadly.
A small amount of blood or swelling around the surgical site is normal
immediately after surgery. If bleeding is excessive or continues for more than 24
hours, please notify us.
 Do not wash or clean the incision. Do not bathe or get your pet wet for 2 weeks.
To better ensure the safety of your pet during surgery, a tube is placed in your animals
windpipe (trachea) prior to surgery and remains there until the surgery is completed. This
allows us to have better control of anesthetic levels and maintain an open airway during
the procedure. Occasionally, the tube can cause some minor windpipe irritation resulting in
post-surgical gagging or coughing. If these symptoms last more than a few days, please
consult a veterinarian. If your pet has any difficulty breathing please seek veterinary care
immediately.
Your pet has had eye ointment put in its eyes for protection during surgery. This may make
the eyes look glazed or weepy. The ointment will absorb naturally so do not remove.
Watch for diarrhea or constipation (please call if any of these things are noted.)
If can be normal for your pet to go up to 48 hours with no bowel movement post
operatively
Frequent urination can also be normal after an abdominal surgery.
Give half the normal amount of food tonight. If the dog keeps it down, give the remainder
of the food.
Dont hesitate to call if there are any questions or concerns!
At Home Medications
Tramadol 50mgGive 2 tablets orally every 12 hours for pain relief.
Amoxicillin 500 mgGive one capsule orally every 12 hours until
gone.
Both these medications can be given at the same time with food and
started tomorrow morning.

Follow Up
Keep Rocky as quiet as possible for 2
weeks.
Recheck in 1 week
Follow Up
Rocky was brought in for a recheck.
Everything looked great and he got all his vaccines and Heartworm/Flea/Tick
Preventatives at the same time.

Bordatella
Rabies 3 yr.
Distemper 3 yr.
Lepto/Lyme #1 of 2
We also did a kidney profile
Fecal O & P
Interceptor Plus
Vectra 3D
References
N.a, . (2017, April 21). Dexdomitor. InDrugs.com.

Retrieved May 23, 2017, from

https://www.drugs.com/vet/dexdomitor.html

N.a, . (n.d.). InPlumb's Veterinary Drugs. Retrieved May

23, 2017, from

https://www.plumbsveterinarydrugs.com/#!/search