Barium is a contrast medium that is given by mouth and should normally pass from mouth to butt within a specific period of time. Radiographs are taken every half hour or so after the barium is administered. In cases of obstruction, the barium simply does not pass beyond the obstruction. In this case, the barium did not leave the stomach, even after one hour. This is not normal. I therefore had to open the dog up.
This radiograph demonstrates barium passing normally.
I found that a huge portion of the jejunum (part of the small intestine) was folded up like an accordion. This is classic for foreign bodies such as string and other linear things (rope, pantyhose, tinsel, etc.). I had to make three small incisions in the intestine to fully remove the obstruction, which was indeed the inside of a baseball. I examined the rest of the gut and lo and behold: there was more in the stomach. I had to make an incision in the stomach as well and successfully took out the rest of the shredded ball. The surgery took about two and a half hours. Ten days post-op and he's doing great, though still trying to suck up anything he can get his jaws on.
My patient
after
sur-
gery.
