Foreign Bodies

What is a foreign body?

A foreign body is any object or material that originates from outside the body and enters the body by ingestion, inhalation, embedded/lodged and penetration.

Name at least 3 sites of ingested foreign bodies…

(Digestive Tract)

• Mouth and throat.

• Esophagus.

• Stomach.

• Intestines.

Name at least 3 symptoms of ingested foreign bodies…

• Vomiting, nausea.

• Gagging and retching.

• Loss of appetite (anorexia).

• Abdominal pain.

• Lethargy and weakness.

• Changes in defecation.

• Excessive salivation.

• Bloating/abdominal swelling.

• Difficulty or pain swallowing.

Name a risk of ingested foreign bodies…

• Symptoms themselves.

• Blockages - restrict digestive function.

• Puncture and/or damage to the digestive walls (if items are sharp).

Name at least 3 sites of inhaled foreign bodies…

(Respiratory Tract)

• Nasal cavity.

• Throat.

• Airways (trachea).

• Lungs.

Name at least 3 symptoms of inhaled foreign bodies…

• Nasal - Sneezing, nasal discharge, pawing/rubbing, nosebleeds or head shaking.

• Throat - Gagging and retching, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

• Airway - Sudden and harsh coughing, whistling or rattling breathing sounds, shortness of breath.

• Lungs - Persistent coughing, wheezing, respiratory distress (open-mouth breathing), and fever or lethargy

Name 1 risk of inhaled foreign bodies…

• Symptoms themselves.

• Choking.

• Complete or partial airway obstruction.

• Cyanosis.

• Secondary lung infection.

• Damage to the respiratory tract.

Name 3 types penetrated/embedded/lodged foreign bodies…

• Skin and subcutaneous tissue (deep tissue).

• Ears.

• Eyes.

Name 3 symptoms of penetrated/embedded/lodged foreign bodies for each of their effecting areas…

• Skin, paws and soft tissues - Persistent grooming and scratching, lameness, inflammation, granulomas (lumps) and ooze of clear fluid, blood or pus from punctures or wounds.

• Eyes - Extreme squinting, heavy tearing, mucus, constant rubbing and sensitivity to light.

• Ears - Head shaking, head tilting, bad-smelling ear discharge.

Name 1 risk of penetrated/embedded/lodged foreign bodies…

• Symptoms themselves.

• Ears - Temporary hearing loss.

• Eyes - Corneal abrasions, tearing and potential vision damage.

• Skin and soft tissues - Bacterial infections.