Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Some animals have a tendency to eat non food items or "foreign bodies". Sometimes the foreign bodies may pass through the gut without causing a problem but frequently they become lodged in the stomach or small intestines creating an obstruction. An obstruction is a surgical emergency!

Some of the common foreign bodies removed from animal gastrointestinal tracts include:

• corn cobs
• stones from fruit such as nectarines and peaches
• plastic and string packaging around meat products
• fish hooks
• string/wool (cats)

The common symptoms of obstruction include:

• poor appetite
• vomiting
• lethargy
• weight loss
• pain

If you are concerned your pet may have eaten a foreign body or is displaying any of these symptoms, seek veterinary advice immediately as surgery may be required.