We never cease to be amazed at Southpointe Veterinary Hospital at what "abnormal" things our patients choose to eat. Foreign body ingestion is a fairly common problem that we encounter in the veterinary setting; especially among the younger dogs. (retrievers love to be over represented). Quite an array of abnormal material passes through the gastrointestinal tracts of precocious dogs; some are not so lucky to pass and end up needing surgical removal.

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A few examples of what our "friends" have eaten over the years would be as follows: sock, underwear, rocks, corn cobs, corks, needles, batteries, marbles, leashes, collars, diapers, carpet, super balls, pantyhose, jewelry.....and a more recent offender who chose to chew up and eat the metal grill cleaning brush.

Hercules, a well loved and cared for two- year-old German shepherd, who by the owners description, is not a dog to "get in to anything" or to chew up unusual things was presented for vomiting and anorexia (not eating). History plays a very important part in making a proper diagnosis and after thorough discussions his owner finally said , "You know, one thing he will get in to is the fire pit in the backyard."

The physical exam revealed a quiet, somewhat dull young dog, and was otherwise unremarkable. Diagnostic testing was then initiated. The abdominal radiograph proved to be the most telling part of his workup. An abnormal metallic density was noted in the small intestine, and with all things considered the foreign body was not going to pass on its own. Surgery was literally the "only way out".

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An exploratory surgery was performed and an obstruction of the small intestine was confirmed. Approximately 8-10 inches of the intestine was packed with a mixture of small pieces of bristle like metal and grass. The material was imbedded (due to it's sharp nature) in the lining of the intestine which made the surgery more difficult, but fortunately the sharp pieces had not penetrated or perforated the intestinal wall to create more problems.
After the local enterotomy (opening made in the small intestine for the removal of the foreign matter) was completed, an exploratory of the entire gastrointestinal tract was performed. ( At times dogs do have more than one foreign body at a time).

In speaking with the owners postoperatively they realized that in fact Hercules had gotten in the fire pit in the backyard where they had discarded a grill cleaning brush. The brush had accidentally been left in the grill while in use, and had partially burned up. The bristle like metal pieces definitely fit the description of the brush.

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Hercules fits the profile of the young dog being at high risk for foreign body ingestion. Although his typical behavior would not suggest that he'd eat such an unusual object, the brush somehow proved to be too tempting. Fortunately he recovered from this serious event, and we are hopeful that we don't ever have to place him on the "repeat offender" list.