While most owners are aware of the potential for swallowed objects to become stuck in their dog’s intestines, many are less familiar with the potential for oesophageal foreign bodies, i.e swallowed items that become stuck in the oesophagus (the pipe between the throat and the stomach).

Unfortunately, this is very uncomfortable for the poor pet, and if the blockage can’t be removed quickly and gently, it can cause long-term damage to the oesophagus.

Here’s the lowdown on oesophageal foreign bodies, including common causes, symptoms, and potential treatment options.

Common oesophageal foreign bodies in dogs

Items that seem to most commonly get caught in the oesophagus include:

• Bones (particularly more brittle cooked bones)
• Fishing hooks
• Tough, fibrous chews such as rawhide

What symptoms does a dog with an oesophageal foreign body show?

Unfortunately, pets with an oesophageal foreign body may not always show symptoms straight away, and the symptoms may be relatively subtle, including:

• Changes in posture (e.g. awkward hunching or neck extension)
• Abnormal drooling
• Repeated swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Regurgitation

How can oesophageal foreign bodies be diagnosed?

Unless the item consists of a dense material such as metal or chunky bone, it can be very difficult to detect on routine X-rays.

Some pets may require more advanced procedures, such as scoping (a tiny medical camera being passed down into their oesophagus), for diagnosis.

Did you know Mira Mar Vets are the proud owners of a small animal endoscope?  We hope never to have to use it on your pet, but are very happy to have this advanced equipment available to use if needed.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the type of foreign body present, how long it has been present for, and what veterinary services are available, and may involve a general anaesthetic for:

• endoscopic removal (using a scoping camera with a tiny grabbing device)
• surgery
• the use of a long medical tube to gently push small, smooth-edged items down into the stomach, or long medical forceps to pull items out

For more advice on reducing the risk of oesophageal foreign body issues in your dog, consult our knowledgeable team.