This Free Veterinary CPD Podcast is produced by Davies Veterinary Specialists with Ian Battersby and Ronan Doyle discussing the surgical approach to linear intestinal foreign bodies, and post-operative care. 

What’s the best way to minimise the risk of peritonitis and intestinal dehiscence following foreign body surgery? And which analgesics and gastro-protectant drugs are recommended post-operatively?

PART 1

In Part 1 we hear about the surgery itself. The challenge with linear foreign bodies is that they are often caught upstream with the free end running down into the intestine. In cats they are commonly caught at the base of the tongue, whereas with dogs they’re more often found at the pylorus.  Dr Doyle talks through a step by step approach to the surgery, from when he opens the abdomen and makes an initial assessment, to best technique when opposing intestinal tissue. 

PART 2

Part 2 of the podcast focuses on post operative care. Ileus is often a concern during this stage and clinical signs may be indistinguishable from those of dehiscence. How do you investigate patients that aren’t doing so well post-op? Dr Doyle discusses analgesia, anti-emetics, antacids and antibiotic use. He also talks about feeding regimes and when to discharge patients