FOREIGN BODIES IN THE STOMACH 149 



time producing alarming symptoms. Birds often pick up 

 metallic substances with the food (nails, pins, etc.). 



These substances after entering the stomach may remain 

 for a long time without producing any marked disturbance. 

 However, as a rule they produce an acute or chronic gastritis 

 and sharp objects may penetrate the walls of the stomach 

 producing an acute inflammatory condition, or peritonitis. 

 Hair balls are occasionally found in the stomach of rabbits 

 and dogs. 



Symptoms.— In a large percentage of cases where foreign 

 bodies are taken there are no symptoms noticeable, espec- 

 ially where the foreign bodies are small and regular in outline. 

 These will often pass out via the intestinal tract or be vomited 

 up without interfering with the function of the stomach or 

 producing general symptoms. When the foreign bodies are 

 of large size, irregular in outline, or sharp, they often produce 

 symptoms of acute or chronic gastritis (see Acute and 

 Chronic Gastritis). Very commonly the foreign bodies 

 produce extensive irritation of the mucous membrane, 

 penetrate the walls of the stomach or obstruct the pylorus 

 producing severe vomiting (which is persistent), complete 

 loss of appetite, intense thirst, hematemesis (from the ero- 

 sions on the mucous membranes or some of the bloodvessels 

 being injured by the sharp objects). Where extensive injury 

 is produced in the membranes, the animals often show excit- 

 able symptoms, howling and other symptoms similar to 

 rabies (see Rabies), stiffness in gait, and walk with the back 

 arched. By palpation over the region of the stomach (espe- 

 cially in cats, rabbits and in some breeds of dogs), the foreign 

 bodies can often be detected and their character determined. 

 When perforation of the walls of the stomach is produced by 

 sharp objects, symptoms of acute peritonitis develop (see 

 Peritonitis). Lastly, under symptoms of general weakness, 

 subnormal temperature, and very weak, imperceptible pulse 

 the animals often die from exhaustion. 



Diagnosis.— The characteristic symptoms, the anamnesis 

 and careful palpation make the diagnosis rather easy when 

 foreign bodies are present in the stomach. Direct palpa- 

 tion of the walls of the stomach (explorative laparotomy) 



