Abstract:
Oesophageal foreign bodies
are a significant cause of morbidity and
mortality in small animals, especially in
carnivores. Due to the possibility of
complications such as perforation or
tracheal compression, the patient may
present an upper airway obstruction, which
might become a medical emergency. Here,
we describe a rare case of a large cervical
foreign object in a cat and review the
diagnostic and therapeutic approach of this
condition. A 4-year-old female cat was
referred to our clinic with signs of
dyspnoea, dysphagia and regurgitation.
The history and clinical exam suggested an
oesophageal foreign body, subsequently
radiographically confirmed. Because its
shape and position did not allow
endoscopic extraction, the foreign body
was removed via ventral cervical
oesophagostomy. Due to its location and
large size, it was necessary to fragment the
foreign body into two pieces for complete
extraction without injuring the
oesophageal walls. The patient had no
postoperative complications and was
discharged 7 days after surgery. In this
condition, an early diagnosis, followed by
an immediate surgical repair and a
rigorous postoperative care, correlates
with patient recovery and survival, being
crucial in reducing the high morbidity and
mortality rates that are usually associated.
