Magnet Ingestion in Dogs: Two Cases

Abstract

Two dogs that had ingested foreign bodies were presented with vomiting. The foreign bodies appeared as metal and dense on abdominal radiographs. Abdominal exploratory identified intestinal perforation in one case and gastrointestinal tissue trapped between the two foreign bodies adhered to each other in the second case. The foreign bodies were identified as magnets in one case and magnets and other metallic foreign bodies in the second case. Both dogs had excellent outcomes following surgical intervention. These cases demonstrate the danger of tissue entrapment between the foreign bodies as a result of the magnetic attraction between two objects. Dogs that are presented with a history of or are suspect for ingesting multiple magnets or a magnet and metal foreign bodies should be treated with surgical intervention because of the risk of gastrointestinal perforation as a result of magnetic attraction between the foreign bodies.

Gastrointestinal tract perforations caused by ingestion of multiple magnets in a dog

“…In people, multiple magnet ingestion can lead to serious GI complications 1–7 . Interestingly, a recent case series reported gastric and intestinal wall necrosis in 2 dogs following ingestion of multiple magnets with no evidence of peritonitis and uncomplicated recoveries 8 . The present case report describes a dog that developed septic peritonitis secondary to gastric and colonic perforations from ingestion of multiple magnets.…”

“…Ingestion of multiple magnets leading to gastrointestinal (GI) injuries is well documented in the human medical literature, 1–7 but has only recently been reported in veterinary literature 8 . In people, magnet ingestion has been associated with intestinal volvulus, 1 perforation, 1,3,4,5 intestinal fistula formation, 6,7 adhesions, 2 abscess formation, 2,5 obstruction, 2 and peritonitis 2,3,5 .…”

“…In people, magnet ingestion has been associated with intestinal volvulus, 1 perforation, 1,3,4,5 intestinal fistula formation, 6,7 adhesions, 2 abscess formation, 2,5 obstruction, 2 and peritonitis 2,3,5 . A recent report describes 2 cases of multiple magnet ingestion in dogs, with morbidity limited to gastric and intestinal wall necrosis with early perforation 8 …”

Ingestion of multiple magnets by a dog

“…Consequently, the object is often unidentified until it is removed. Ingestion of multiple magnets is a well‐documented problem in children (McCormick and others 2002), and has more recently been reported in the veterinary literature (Kiefer and others 2010). We report a case of multiple magnet ingestion in a dog, where prompt intervention prevented more serious consequences.…”

“…In order to minimise the risk of gastrointestinal complications caused by magnetic attraction it is suggested that if multiple, small, metallic foreign bodies are seen on abdominal radiography these should be monitored frequently with serial radiography. If they are found to be non‐progressive or there are signs suggestive of peritonitis, an exploratory laparotomy should be performed immediately (Kiefer and others 2010).…”