We all want to avoid surgery. Surgery comes with risks and often lengthy recovery times. When it comes to our pets, it can often be even harder. We can’t explain to them what is happening, why they are in pain or why their daily walk has been put on hold.  At AECFV, if we can avoid surgery, we will.

Take Riot, a rock eating 6 month old golden retriever. Riot did not just eat one rock, he ate many rocks. His family veterinarian transferred him to our clinic for foreign body surgery to remove the rocks. Upon being admitted x-rays were performed to determine exactly where all these rocks were. Dr. Collingwood performed a procedure where air was injected into the stomach and colon which enabled him to see precisely where the rocks were.

From this, it was determined that Riot would likely pass the rocks in his colon. Dr. Collingwood was also confident that he could remove the rocks in Riot’s stomach using an endoscope. Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to use a flexible hose that contains a camera and tube where special instruments can bee inserted. This allows us to see in the stomach and direct the instruments to where the items are and retrieve them.

Dr. Collingwood was successful in the rock retrieval and Riot was off to a speedy recovery. We kept Riot over night on fluids and performed x-rays in the morning to ensure the rocks in his colon were making their way out.

Success!  Surgery avoided!  No recovery time!  No incision!

Now, how to explain to Riot that rocks do not make a good snack?