Foreign Bodies Ingestion in Dogs

Dogs are curious by nature. They love to investigate new sights, smells and tastes. Unfortunately, this curiosity can lead them into trouble. Dogs are notorious for swallowing paper, tissues, articles of clothing, sticks, wicker, bones, food wrappers, rocks, and other foreign objects. Many of these objects will pass through the intestinal tract without problem. It is common for dog owners to report finding all sorts of objects in their dog's stool or vomit.
However, one of the more common and potentially life-threatening conditions seen in veterinary practice is foreign body obstruction. Although most foreign bodies do pass uneventfully through the intestinal tract, if an obstruction occurs for some reason, surgical removal of the blocked object is the only treatment.

Signs to look out for when a dog has eaten a foreign body?

Most pets that have ingested a foreign body will exhibit some of these clinical signs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal tenderness or pain
• Decreased appetite or anorexia
• Straining to defecate or producing small amounts of feces
• Lethargy
• Changes in behavior such as biting or growling when picked up or handled around the abdomen

How is it diagnosed?

After obtaining a thorough medical history, your veterinarian will perform a careful physical examination. If a foreign body is suspected, abdominal radiographs (x-rays) will be performed. Several views or a series of specialized x-rays using contrast material (barium or other radiographic dye) will often be necessary this procedure may not be available here in Nigeria for now though. In addition, your veterinarian may recommend blood and urine tests to assess whether the patient's health has been compromised by the obstruction, or to rule-out other causes of vomiting such as pancreatitis, enteritis, infections or hormonal diseases such as Addison's disease.

Treatment of intestinal foreign body

If a foreign body obstruction is diagnosed or suspected, exploratory surgery is generally recommended.

"Time is critical since an intestinal or stomach obstruction often compromises or "cuts off" the blood supply to these vital tissues."

Time is critical since an intestinal or stomach obstruction often compromises or "cuts off" the blood supply to these vital tissues. If the blood supply is interrupted for more than a few hours, these tissues may become necrotic or "die" and irreparable damage or shock may result.

In some instances, the foreign body may be able to pass on its own. In this event, your veterinarian may recommend hospitalization or boarding as the case may be of your dog for close observation, and will perform follow-up radiographs to track the progress of the foreign object.

If any clinical signs are related to an underlying condition, or if diagnostic testing indicates compromised organ systems, these abnormalities will also require treatment.

What is the prognosis?

The prognosis is based on:

1. the location of the foreign body,

2. the duration of any obstruction,

3. the size, shape and characteristics of the foreign body, and

4. the health status of the pet before foreign body ingestion.

Your veterinarian will provide you with detailed diagnostic and treatment plans as well an accurate prognosis based on your pet's condition.

Common Diseases of Pets

Disease is a common occurrence in both man and animals. However, while man can fully express himself as to what is problem(s) is/are the same is not true for animals and pets. i will be drawing your attention to some common diseases of pets and animals in this part of the ecosystem. It should be noted  that the tips on this blog are to get readers enlightened and better informed when dealing with their animals and pets and do not take the place of a qualified veterinarian. When your animal is sick, the golden rule still remains - visit your Veterinary Doctor...

                            Demodicosis in Dogs (mange)

Mange is a class of skin disaeses caused by parasitic mites. Since mites also infect plants, birds, and reptiles, the term "mange" or "the mange", suggesting poor condition of the hairy coat due to the infection, is sometimes reserved only for pathological mite-infestation. Also called demodicosis or red mange, demodectic mange is caused by a sensitivity to and overpopulation of Demodex canis if the animal's immune system is unable to keep the mites under control. The two types of demodectic mange are localized and generalized. Localized consists of four spots or less. Most dogs are immune to demodectic mange, but dogs with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at a higher risk. It is not contagious to humans.

 Mange (demodicosis) is an inflammatory disease in dogs caused by various types of the Demodex mite. When the number of mites inhabiting the hair follicles and skin of the dog become exorbitant, it can lead to skin lesions, genetic disorders, problems with the immune system and hair loss (alopecia). The severity of symptoms depends upon the type of mite inhabiting the dog.
 The condition or disease described in this article can affect both dogs and cats. However our emphases here is that of the Dog because of its prevalence. You can also learn more about the other common type of mange


Symptoms and Types

Demodectic mange may either be localized and affect specific areas of the body, or generalized, where it affects the entire body. If localized, symptoms are usually mild, with lesions occurring in patches, especially on the face, trunk, or legs. If generalized, symptoms will be more widespread and appear across the body. These symptoms include loss of hair - alopecia, a redness of the skin (erythema), and the appearance of scales and lesions in various parts of the body.

Causes

While an exact cause of mange in dogs is unknown, many experts believe genetic factors, such as problems with the immune system, may predispose a dog to developing mange.
 Three species of mites have been identified to cause mange in dogs. While the mode of transmission is unknown for two of these, it is known that one type, Demodex canis, inhabits the skin and hair follicles and may transfer from mother to newborn during nursing especially in kernels that are not kept clean.
Skin scrapings are used to find and diagnose demodicosis in dogs. Plucking hairs may also help identify the mite responsible for the condition.

If performed, a urine test will identify other possible diagnoses, namely those caused by a disorder with the dog’s metabolic system. Alternative diagnoses may include bacterial infection in the hair follicle and bla bla bla....i don't want to bore you with medical jargons.

As  always keep your comments coming and have a splendid week ahead.
Cheers.