"What have you found?" February's winner - May'08

The winner of our February Veterinary Review competition is Marcel Kovalik from Companion Care Veterinary Surgery, Burrfields Road, Portsmouth.  

Congratulations Marcel!!

WHYF Feb 01 

Case: Toby Adams, a 2 year 7 month old male neutered English Springer Spaniel, owned by Miss Adams, Hayling Island, Hants

Signalment and history

Toby is an approximately three-year old neutered male English Springer Spaniel with a history of 10 months of chronic vomiting. He had been treated by three different veterinary practices during this period. Antibiotics, H2 blockers and anti-emetics were used at different times with temporary relief. Toby was losing weight, eating less and vomiting undigested food.

Physical examination

Toby was bright, alert and responsive on presentation. His body condition was normal. No generalised lymphadenopathy was noted. Capillary refill time was normal, no signs of dehydration, and temperature was 39.4C. Examination of cardiovascular system revealed a sinus arrhythmia. Pulmonary auscultation was unremarkable. Abdominal palpation was normal without any obvious findings.

Diagnostic investigation

The haematology, biochemistry and electrolytes screens revealed no obvious abnormalities. Abdominal ultrasound examination showed increased pyloric wall thickness of 7-8 mm. No other ultrasonographic abnormalities were detected. Survey radiographs showed the presence of a gastric foreign body. A barium contrast study showed the appearance of a gastric foreign body, normal peristaltic function and normal intestinal passage.

Diagnosis

Gastric foreign body.

Prognosis

Good.

Treatment/plan

Exploratory laparotomy, gastrotomy, fluid treatment, antibiotics, analgesia, H2 blockers

Discussion

Signs of chronic vomiting were related to chronic partial gastric obstruction by two foreign bodies. These were parts of a child's plastic mini basketball.

WHYF Feb 02