Plant material foreign bodies may cause vague clinical signs at the time of initial presentation but can progress to cause persistent or recurrent abscessation, sinus tract formation and debilitating disease, due to migration of the foreign body, severe tissue reaction and secondary infection. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique that can be used to identify precisely the presence, location and size of radiolucent foreign bodies. Early identification of foreign bodies using ultrasonography facilitates surgical retrieval before further migration and tissue injury occur. This paper reviews the ultrasonographic findings and outcome in 17 dogs with non-enteric, radiolucent, plant material foreign bodies.

This case describes a rare presentation of Crohn's disease and highlights the need to consider underlying gastrointestinal pathology in patients presenting with a deteriorating clinical condition in the presence of an incidental foreign body.