scott@vtx-cpd.com

Replying to Sarah Keir 14/08/2025 - 09:37

Thanks Sarah, totally agree, DCM is a real consideration at this stage and something we’ll need to keep on the radar going forward, I must admit I often forget this sort of thing!. Look forward to your thoughts on the liver side when you’re back.

Best,

Scott 🙂

Replying to Victoria R. 14/08/2025 - 10:09

Hi Tori,

That’s really interesting, thanks for sharing. I must admit I don’t use antihistamines in many of my own patients. I’m working in Canada now, and they love Benadryl here! I do tend to reach for antihistamines more often in cases of lymphocytic–plasmacytic rhinitis, usually alongside an NSAID. That said, I’m not sure how effective I actually find them, and I often end up reaching for steroids instead.

Scott 🙂

Replying to Elizabeth Murch 14/08/2025 - 13:46

Radiography report:

Abdomen

Serosal detail: Within normal limits for both peritoneal and retroperitoneal spaces.

Foreign material: Multiple, thin, linear metallic opacities within the peritoneal cavity and possibly in the small intestinal lumen (Figure 1, arrowheads) – likely incidental barbecue brush bristles.

Stomach: Moderately to markedly distended with homogeneous fluid/soft tissue opaque material and gas (Figure 1, ovals). Gas redistributes normally between views. The pylorus appears empty in the left lateral view (Figure 1, arrow).

Small intestine: Descending duodenum and several other loops are overdistended with homogeneous fluid/soft tissue opaque material and scant gas, with a stacked appearance (Figure 1, #). Other loops are empty (**Figure 1, ***).

Colon: Mildly distended with formed soft tissue opaque fecal material and gas. Cecum not identified.

Other abdominal structures: Liver, spleen, visible renal margins, urinary bladder, and musculoskeletal structures are within normal limits.

Thorax

Pulmonary pattern: Alveolar patterns are present in the ventral right middle lung lobe, caudal subsegment of the left cranial lung lobe, and caudoventral aspect of the right cranial lung lobe (Figure 2, ovals).

Other thoracic structures: Trachea normal in diameter and position, cardiac silhouette, pulmonary vessels, and caudal vena cava are small. No pleural abnormalities. Musculoskeletal structures within normal limits.

Conclusions

Abdomen: Two populations of small intestine most consistent with a mechanical ileus. Metallic peritoneal/intestinal foreign bodies (barbecue brush bristles) likely incidental.

Thorax: Aspiration pneumonia in the right cranial, right middle, and left cranial lung lobes.

Additional Comments

Findings are most consistent with a small intestinal obstruction, which likely explains the clinical signs. Cause is not identified, but given chronicity, possibilities include:

Intestinal mass

Chronic, non-mineral foreign body

Intussusception

Abdominal ultrasound is recommended to determine the cause.

Replying to Julia Biernat 12/08/2025 - 15:19

No problem!

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Scott 🙂

Replying to valerie dromey 04/08/2025 - 22:46

It was an interesting case…

Sad outcome with this one however.

Have a great eek.

Scott 🙂