Can a Swallowed Foreign Object Be Removed Without Surgery?

If your dog or cat has swallowed something they should not have, surgery is not always necessary.

In some cases, the object can be removed using endoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that avoids opening the abdomen. 

Whether this is possible depends mainly on where the object is, whether it is causing an obstruction and how quickly your pet is assessed.

Endoscopy allows a veterinarian to look inside the oesophagus and stomach using a flexible camera.

Your pet is placed under anaesthetic, and the endoscope is passed through the mouth. Specialised instruments can then be used to grasp and remove the foreign object.

Depending on the situation, this can be used to retrieve objects such as:

If the object can be removed successfully this way, abdominal surgery may be avoided, and recovery is usually much faster.

The first step is determining where the object is and whether it is causing a problem.

At VSOS, this may involve abdominal ultrasound, X-rays or, in selected cases, CT imaging.

These tests help us determine whether the object is moving through the gastrointestinal tract or has become stuck and caused an obstruction.

No.

Some foreign objects will pass naturally through the gastrointestinal tract.

If an object has safely reached the large intestine, supportive care and careful monitoring may sometimes be recommended while it passes.

However, if the object becomes lodged in the small intestine and causes an obstruction, surgery is usually required.

An intestinal obstruction is an emergency.

If an object remains lodged, pressure on the bowel can damage the intestinal wall and affect its blood supply.

In severe cases, part of the bowel can die or perforate, allowing intestinal contents to leak into the abdomen.

This can cause septic peritonitis and sepsis, which require emergency surgery and intensive hospital care.

Objects can also become lodged in the oesophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Signs can include:

Fish hooks are one example we see in dogs, particularly in coastal areas.

Many oesophageal foreign bodies can be removed endoscopically, particularly when they are treated early.

Foreign body cases can change quickly.

A swallowed object may initially sit in the stomach without causing major symptoms. Later, it may move into the intestine and become lodged.

The earlier the object is identified, the more treatment options may be available.

If you know your pet has swallowed something unusual, or they are vomiting, refusing food, regurgitating, gagging or simply do not seem themselves, seek veterinary advice promptly.

Foreign body cases are regularly managed by the VSOS Emergency and Specialist teams.

With access to ultrasound, X-rays, CT imaging, advanced endoscopy, surgery and intensive care, our team can rapidly assess where the object is and determine the safest and least invasive treatment option available.   

When possible, the aim is to remove the foreign body early and avoid more invasive treatment.