Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in pet pigs: 17 cases.

Pigs have an indiscriminate eating behavior placing them at high risk of developing foreign body (FB) obstructions. Describe the clinical and diagnostic features, treatments, and outcome of pet pigs diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) FBs. Medical and surgical treatments, pig outcomes, and post-mortem findings were also investigated. Seventeen pet pigs. A multicenter retrospective study was conducted. Gastrointestinal FBs were defined as swallowed objects that became lodged within the gastrointestinal tract distal to the cardia identified during exploratory laparotomy. Common clinical signs were anorexia/hyporexia, tachypnea, vomiting, dehydration, tachycardia, and ileus. Diagnostic imaging identified the presence of a FB in 4 cases. Upon celiotomy, the FBs were in the stomach and small intestine in 17 cases and large colon in 2 cases. Types of FB included fruit pit, diaper, and metallic objects. Of the 17 pigs, 15 (88%) were discharged from the hospital and 2 (12%) were euthanized. Clinical signs of GI FB were similar to those reported in obstipated pigs. Diagnostic imaging has limitations for detection of FB. Surgical removal of FBs in pigs carried a good prognosis. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Citation

Yoko Nakamae, Kallie J Hobbs, Jessie Ziegler, Luis A Rivero, Shari Kennedy, Jenna Stockler, Diego E Gomez. Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in pet pigs: 17 cases. Journal of veterinary internal medicine. 2022 May;36(3):1185-1189

Mesh Tags

PMID: 35481711

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