Mechanical ileus is a condition in which foreign bodies, local malignant and benign tumors, pathological changes in the condition, tricobezoars and phytobezores completely or partially block the gastrointestinal system
1,2,6-8. In cases of mechanical ileus occurring in the gastrointestinal tract, sudden-onset vomiting, anorexia, dehydration, weight loss, stagnation and abdominal pain are the most common clinical findings
2,9,10. The subject of this report was a male Golden Retriever dog brought to our clinic with complaints such as weakness, vomiting, anorexia and inability to defecate for three days.
Direct and indirect abdominal radiography is one of the frequently used diagnostic methods in the diagnosis of mechanical ileus cases caused by foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal system 2,10,11. In the radiographic images taken in mechanical ileus cases, it is seen that there is gas accumulation in the proximal part of the occlusion area. It is observed that the intraluminal fluid volume increases due to the increase in secretion over time 2,10. In this study, gas accumulation was detected in the stomach and proximal part of the small intestine in the direct radiography. In the indirect radiography taken, 2.5 hours after the administration of contrast material, it was found that it concentrated in the stomach and proximal parts of the small intestines. In the radiographic examinations performed at the 16th and 19th hours after the administration of the contrast agent, it was found that the contrast agent was concentrated in the stomach and proximal of the small intestines, and that it passed slightly beyond this region. In addition, the endoscopic examination performed in this study shows the importance of using different imaging methods in the diagnosis of foreign bodies.
Laparotomy can be applied in ventral or lateral positions in abdominal operations. In the study by Durmus et al. 1, a laparotomy was performed in a lateral position to remove the foreign body from the intestines of a two-year-old German Shepherd male dog. In another study, ventral laparotomy was performed for the treatment of mechanical ileus cases in six dogs 3. In this study, ventral laparotomy technique was used because it is easier to reach the abdominal organs.
Foreign bodies or other factors that cause obstruction may cause ischemia, edema and necrosis in the intestinal walls 1,5,6. In a case report, in which a rubber ball was extracted from the small intestines of a German shepherd dog, it was reported that with the pressure of the rubber ball, necrotic areas due to ischemia were formed in the intestines and the necrotic intestinal segment was cut and anastomosis was made 1. In this study, it was observed that the mass removed from the small intestine was not a solid mass and did not develop an ischemia or necrotic condition because it was compatible with bowel movements.
While some researchers 12,13 consider it appropriate to use catgut threads in intestinal stitches; other researchers 5 report that silk thread is safer because they think that the catgut will resorb early. In this case report, no postoperative problem was encountered, despite the use of an absorbable vicryl (USP 3-0) thread.
It is recommended that patients be given low-fat liquid foods and parenteral fluid therapy after the operations of the gastrointestinal system 5,14. In this study, no food was given to the operated dog for the first 24 hours, and only parenteral fluid was administered. During the next 10 days, fat-free liquid foods were given, as in accordance with the literature 5,14.
In conclusion, with this case report, the importance of finding the reason instead of direct symptomatic treatments of dogs with complaints such as sudden vomiting, anorexia, and inability to defecate was revealed. We believe that it will be effective to include this study in the literature as an important indicator that accurate and early diagnosis will lead to the correct treatment and this will increase the success.
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