Gastric Outflow Obstruction After Ingestion of Wood Glue in a Dog

Abstract

A 2-year-old, male, mixed-breed dog presented with a 12-day history of vomiting, depression, and weight loss after ingestion of industrial-strength wood glue containing diphenylmethane diisocyanate as its active ingredient. A diagnosis of gastric foreign body was made from survey abdominal radiographs. A large aggregate of solidified wood glue was surgically removed, and the dog recovered uneventfully. Fourteen other cases have been reported to the Animal Poison Control Center at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Eight of those 14 cases required surgical intervention. All cases recovered completely.

Acute intestinal obstruction after methylene‐diphenyl‐diisocyanate‐based glue ingestion in a dog

“…4 Any amount over 2 ounces of ingested glue is capable of forming obstructive foreign bodies inside the gastrointestinal tract, as the final size can exceed eight times the initial volume within 2 hours and the reaction starts within minutes after ingestion. 1,3,5,7 In this case, the exact amount of consumed polyurethane glue remains unknown. However, based on the comparison of the removed mass to previous studies, 3,6,7,9 the ingested amount might have been equal to 2 ounces.…”

“…However, the combined information from history, clinical examination and radiographs was adequate to proceed with exploratory laparotomy, as reported in previous cases. [1][2][3]9,12 Most cases of dogs with gastric obstruction due to polyacrilamide ingestion were treated surgically. 2,4-9 All these dogs had contact with the glue containers.…”

“…There is a specific time requirement for the outset of polymerization, which usually is completed when the glue reaches the stomach. Most dogs ingest polyurethane glue accidentally by chewing the containers, 3,7,9 licking spilled glues, 3,6 or swallowing items with liquid glue on them 4 . Any amount over 2 ounces of ingested glue is capable of forming obstructive foreign bodies inside the gastrointestinal tract, as the final size can exceed eight times the initial volume within 2 hours and the reaction starts within minutes after ingestion 1,3,5,7 .…”

“…Most dogs ingest polyurethane glue accidentally by chewing the containers, 3,7,9 licking spilled glues, 3,6 or swallowing items with liquid glue on them 4 . Any amount over 2 ounces of ingested glue is capable of forming obstructive foreign bodies inside the gastrointestinal tract, as the final size can exceed eight times the initial volume within 2 hours and the reaction starts within minutes after ingestion 1,3,5,7 . In this case, the exact amount of consumed polyurethane glue remains unknown.…”

“…It has been reported in dogs 3–9 and two birds 13 but not in cats or rural animals. The majority of these cases resulted in gastric outflow obstruction after the formation of a foamy, but firm, foreign body 3–9 . In one dog, the outcome was fatal 8 .…”