Small intestinal obstruction secondary to kinetic sand ingestion in a dog.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of small intestinal obstruction secondary to kinetic sand ingestion in a dog. ANIMAL: An 11-year-old neutered male shih tzu dog with a 2-day history of anorexia. PROCEDURE: Abdominal radiographs revealed a small intestinal bowel loop dilated with radiopaque material, consistent with sand ingestion. The dog's only sand exposure was to kinetic sand. After 8 h of medical management, radiographs were consistent with a small intestinal obstruction. RESULTS: The dog underwent exploratory laparotomy, which revealed distal jejunal and ileal distention with palpable soft foreign material that could not be milked into the colon. The sand was removed through a single enterotomy. The dog was discharged 4 d after surgery. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The hydrophobic properties of kinetic sand may make it more likely than regular sand to cause intestinal obstruction that requires surgery. With the increasing popularity and availability of kinetic sand for domestic use, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for kinetic sand impaction and secondary intestinal obstruction.