Known Foreign Body Ingestion

Lisa L. Powell, DVM, DACVECC, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Critical Consults, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

ArticleGalleryLast Updated June 20211 min readPeer Reviewed
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FIGURE 1A

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FIGURE 1A

Lateral view. Abdominal radiographs showing a rock foreign body that appears to be located in the small intestine. No small intestinal foreign body could be located on abdominal ultrasound; however, a shadowing foreign object was possibly located in the stomach.

Author Insight

Do not induce emesis if there is a concern for esophageal obstruction when the foreign body is vomited, such as with a large object. Emesis is contraindicated if there is a concern for caustic mucosal damage (eg, from any acidic/alkaline chemicals, batteries).

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article contained a diagnostic tree illustration.