Gastrointestinal foreign bodies occur commonly in dogs. The objective of the study was to describe the acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities identified in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies and determine if these abnormalities are related to the site or type of foreign body present. Medical records of 138 dogs were reviewed, and information on signalment, initial venous electrolyte and acid-base values, surgical findings, relevant historical information, imaging modalities used, cost of hospital visit, intra-or postoperative complications, and survival was obtained. The site of the foreign body was recorded in 94.9% of cases and the most common site was the stomach (50%), followed by the jejunum (27.5%). The foreign bodies were linear in 36.2% of cases. The most common electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities regardless of the site or type of foreign body were hypochloremia (51.2%), metabolic alkalosis (45.2%), hypokalemia (25%), and hyponatremia (20.5%). No significant association was found between electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities and the site of foreign body. Linear, as opposed to discrete, foreign bodies were more likely to be associated with a low serum sodium concentration (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.95). Hyperlactatemia (Ͼ2.4 mmol/L) was seen in 40.5% of dogs. A wide variety of electrolyte and acid-base derangements are found in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies. Hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis are common in these dogs. Hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis is seen with both proximal and distal gastrointestinal foreign bodies.Key words: Alkalosis; Hypochloremia; Hypokalemia; Hyponatremia; Linear. Dogs with clinical signs resulting from gastrointestinal foreign bodies are common in small-animal veterinary practice.1 Dogs ingest a large variety of objects that either pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or cause a complete or partial obstruction. Other ingested objects act as linear foreign bodies and cause plication of the small intestine.2 Animals with GI disease frequently have acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities.3 Large volumes of fluid and electrolytes are secreted and reabsorbed by the healthy GI tract daily. In a 20-kg dog, approximately 2.5 L of fluid enters the GI tract from diet and normal gastrointestinal secretions and over 98% is reabsorbed daily. 4 Experimental studies of GI obstruction in dogs have revealed that, after an obstruction has been present for over 24 hours, there is secretion of sodium, potassium, and water rather than absorption in the bowel proximal to the obstruction. Gastrointestinal function is also abnormal distal to the obstruction. 5 Thus, disturbances in normal GI tract function secondary to complete or partial obstruction can rapidly result in disturbances of fluid balance, acid-base status, and serum electrolyte concentrations. Protracted or profuse vomiting and diarrhea with reluctance to consume adequate volumes of food and fluid can also affect the intravascular volume and hydration

Objective: To compare the incidence of clinically evident post‐operative complications, financial cost and length of hospital stay for Dachshunds with acute intervertebral disc disease treated with decompressive surgery with and without the use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS). Design: Retrospective clinical study Setting: Veterinary Teaching Hospital Animals: Dachshunds that presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between January 1994 and December 1999 with acute intervertebral disc disease that were treated with decompressive surgery. Intervention: None Measurements and Main Results: Dogs were divided into 2 groups dependent upon whether they had received MPSS. Medical records were examined for evidence of post‐operative complications. Other parameters recorded included details of drugs administered (principally corticosteroids and gastrointestinal protectant drugs), length and cost of hospital stay and neurological status at 24 hours post‐operatively and at suture removal. Compared to other corticosteroids, dogs receiving MPSS had a significantly higher incidence of clinically evident post‐operative gastrointestinal complications, an increased use of gastrointestinal protectant drugs, and an increased cost for hospital stay (p<0.01). Conclusions: The use of MPSS inDachshunds with acute intervertebral disc disease is associated with an increased post‐operative complication rate and an increased financial cost to the client. The use of MPSS should be carefully evaluated for each patient.

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MANAGEMENT of an animal with an acute abdomen presents one of the greatest challenges in veterinary emergency medicine. This clinical syndrome has a large number of possible causes, many of which require urgent surgery to optimise the chances of a successful outcome. Rapid assessment of the patient's major body systems (particularly the cardiovascular system) and early institution of supportive medical therapy are a priority while a definitive diagnosis is sought and a suitable treatment plan is formulated. This article describes key aspects of the investigation and initial stabilisation of dogs and cats with an acute abdomen. An article in the next issue of In Practice will discuss the surgical treatment of acute abdominal conditions in small animals.

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HAEMOGLOBIN-based oxygen-carrying (HBOC) solutions have been extensively developed and studied in the human medical field over the past three decades as a means of providing a readily available alternative to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, due to increased concerns over disease transmission and limited supplies of human blood. Their use so far in human clinical medicine has been restricted by the lack of licensed products. Recently, an HBOC solution for the treatment of anaemia in dogs (Oxyglobin; Biopure) has been licensed in the UK. This article, based on the authors' experience of using the product to date, discusses the clinical applications, and limitations, of this new addition to the veterinary clinician's armoury.

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies occur commonly in dogs. The objective of the study was to describe the acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities identified in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies and determine if these abnormalities are related to the site or type of foreign body present. Medical records of 138 dogs were reviewed, and information on signalment, initial venous electrolyte and acid-base values, surgical findings, relevant historical information, imaging modalities used, cost of hospital visit, intra- or postoperative complications, and survival was obtained. The site of the foreign body was recorded in 94.9% of cases and the most common site was the stomach (50%), followed by the jejunum (27.5%). The foreign bodies were linear in 36.2% of cases. The most common electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities regardless of the site or type of foreign body were hypochloremia (51.2%), metabolic alkalosis (45.2%), hypokalemia (25%), and hyponatremia (20.5%). No significant association was found between electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities and the site of foreign body. Linear, as opposed to discrete, foreign bodies were more likely to be associated with a low serum sodium concentration (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.95). Hyperlactatemia (> 2.4 mmol/L) was seen in 40.5% of dogs. A wide variety of electrolyte and acid-base derangements are found in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies. Hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis are common in these dogs. Hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis is seen with both proximal and distal gastrointestinal foreign bodies.