Dogs 8 years of age and older with first-time gastrointestinal foreign bodies have an increased occurrence of incidental pathologic surgical findings
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: To compare the prevalence of incidental pathologies during gastrointestinal foreign body retrieval surgery in 2 groups of dogs and to assess correlation between incidental pathological findings, patient age, and if this was the dog's first foreign body retrieval procedure. Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for dogs undergoing foreign body retrieval surgery from January 2023 through August 2025. Dogs were distributed into 2 groups: (1) younger than 8 years of age or (2) 8 years of age and older. The prevalence of incidentally found intraoperative findings was compared between groups. Dogs 8 years of age and older were reviewed to correlate whether the surgery was their first instance of surgical foreign body retrieval. Results: 313 dogs were included; 7.6% of dogs under 8 years had incidental intra-abdominal pathology compared to 56.7% of dogs 8 years and older undergoing their first surgical foreign body retrieval. Senior dogs with a history of foreign body retrieval had a 5.9% incidence of pathologic findings. Pathologic findings were 16 times more likely in dogs 8 years and older undergoing their first foreign body retrieval surgery. Conclusions: Dogs 8 years of age and older undergoing their first surgical foreign body retrieval were significantly more likely to exhibit pathologic findings than those with previous foreign body retrievals and dogs less than 8 years of age. Clinical Relevance: Preoperative discussions for geriatric dogs undergoing first-time foreign body surgery should address the increased likelihood of abnormal findings intraoperatively, potential need for additional surgical procedures, and risks of associated procedures.
Authors: Tanner P. Roberts, Jaclyn N. Bertorelli, Jeffrey A. Steurer, Robert J. Newman
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7135134491
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