REMOVAL OF FOREIGN BODIES FROM BOWEL

Purpose of operation:

The process of opening the intestines in order to remove the blockage and remove foreign bodies is called enterotomy.

Substances that cause obstruction include rope, small marbles, bottle mushrooms, toy pieces, small pieces of cloth, or socks. Blockages in the intestines usually is in the small intestines.

Although the disease can be seen in all cat and dog breeds, it is also more common in Siamese cats.

The patient experiences vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or constipation, and distortions in the general health condition. If the obstruction in bowel is complete and sudden in the bowel , patient vomit and cannot make stools. The patient suddenly becomes silent and pain symptoms can be observed within the first 24-48 hours. If the diagnosis is not made in time, the patient may die in a few days.

The disease can be accurately diagnosed by X-ray or X-raywith medication

Pre-operation Considerations:

General health condition should be checked after the appropriate time has been agreed with the physician for the operation. This is necessary to learn the general health condition of the patient and not to put the patient at risk who will receive anaesthesia. In order to do that, according to the discretion of the veterinarian, X-ray, ultrasound or blood test results should be examined.

If the patient’s general health condition is fine, the patient should be observed before the operation and antibiotics should be given with fluid treatments. However, this process should not be kept long and possibility of the progress in necrosis, septicemia and adhesion should not be forgotten.

However, in such cases which full intestinal obstruction is detected. an emergency operation should be performed without wasting any time. If the patient is allergic to any medication, the Physician must be informed about it. Food and drink should not be given to the patient within 12-24 hours before the operation. This will provide a more comfortable operation for the patient who will receive anaesthesia. In such cases which there is no complete blockage in the intestines, it is better to control the patient’s nutrition and to give liquid foods until the disease is diagnosed.

Operation Technique

Sterilization procedures are performed in the patient’s preparation room where sedatives are given for the operation. For this purpose, first of all, the feathers in the operation spot are shaved and then this spot is disinfected by using an antiseptic solution. After these procedures, Physician decided the level of anaesthesia and the area is covered with a sterile drape and the patient is made ready for surgical intervention.

The most appropriate area for the operation is the middle abdominal line called linea alba. In this area, there are a few veins that’s the possibility of bleeding is very low. It is easy to reach the intestines from this area. This area is opened in the abdominal cavity where the intestinal obstruction is detected and it is taken out. In some cases, the effect of obstruction may lead to rotation of intestines or stomach. Intestines and stomach are controlled in case of complication. If there is a complication, it is intervented and then an incision is made in a little further area where the foreign body is located (undamaged solid tissues) where the object can come out. After the foreign body is removed from this incision, the bowel is closed by suturing.

The important issue to be considered during the operation is preventing the flow of intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity. Therefore, the intestinal clamps should be applied from the sides of the section where the blockage is.

Long-exposed intestines dry up pretty quickly. To prevent happening of this, the intestines are regularly soaked with serum during the operation and are not allowed to dry.

After the intestinal sutured, the abdominal cavity is also sutured and closed.

Post-Operational Considerations

Antibiotic should be given to the patient after the operation. Does and time of antibiotic must be arranged according to the recommendation of the physician. After the operation, WinPet must be used because the patient will damage the operation area by licking and threading. Sudden movements, such as jumping, which may put a risk of healing process of the patient should be prevented. WinPet functions like a tight corset and it will prevent undesired outcomes.

After the operation, the patient should be starved for 48 – 72 hours and the general health condition should be regulated by fluid therapy. Anything other than watery foods should not be given to the patient for the next few days.

Full recovery is completed in about 10-12 days and then stitches can be removed.

In the during of this period, In case of the patient has got bloating, redness, inflammation etc, the patient must be controlled by a vet without wasting any time.

A few days after the operation, it is appropriate to take an X-ray with medication of the patient to determine how bowel functions.

Possible Postoperative Complications

As long as the proper sterilization, proper material usage and regular antibiotic usage and serum treatment are managed properly during the operation, the risk of complications is very low.

However, the patient should avoid from excessive and inappropriate exercise. Stitches should be protected after the operation. WinPet should not be taken off from the patient during the healing process. Otherwise there is the risk of the eventation (opening of the sutures and coming out of the internal organs)

The basic rule of the operation is to prevent content of bowel from flowing into the abdominal cavity.Othervise, The patient can undergo peritonitis which is the most important complication. İmpairment of health,weekness,loss of appetite,high fever, 
septicemia can be observed as the symptom of this problem.