Prevalence and characteristics of foreign body-induced upper gastrointestinal obstruction in dogs.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify, categorize, and compare gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs, with a particular focus on those causing obstruction. The study also sought to distinguish between foreign body occurrences in the esophagus and the stomach, including the types of materials such as bones, plastic bags, fruit seeds, stones, and wires. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 261 dogs (151 males and 110 females) with foreign bodies lodged in the esophagus ( Results: The study's findings indicate a higher prevalence of gastric foreign bodies (57.47%) compared to esophageal foreign bodies (42.53%). Small breeds dominated esophageal cases (92.79%), with only a small percentage being medium breeds (7.21%). In contrast, gastric cases included a high number of small breeds (56.67%), as well as significant percentages of medium (22.00%) and large breeds (21.33%). Small-breed dogs were more likely to have foreign bodies in the esophagus, while larger dogs (medium and large breeds) were more likely to have them in the stomach ( Conclusion: Esophageal foreign bodies were primarily composed of bones and dried dog snacks, while gastric foreign bodies more often contained fabrics, plant materials, and metallic objects. These composition differences highlight the need for site-specific management strategies.