Esophageal foreign body removal through gastrotomy using a covault hook in a female dog: A case report

One of the most critical emergencies in dogs is esophageal foreign bodies. The most important foreign body reported in the esophagus is bone; however, there are also reports of fish hooks lodged in the esophagus. This case report describes the history, clinical signs, radiographic findings and surgical management of an esophageal foreign body due to a single-barbed fish hook in a 4-month-old Siberian Husky female dog with regurgitation, pain, anorexia and lethargy. In this case, plain radiography was taken to determine the type and location of the foreign body and it was confirmed that a single-barbed fish hook was lodged in the heart base of thorax. Depending on the type of foreign body, penetrable or non-penetrable as well as the location, a variety of methods including endoscopy, fluoroscopy, and surgery are used for its removal. For treatment, for the first time, a covault hook was utilized to remove the foreign body via gastrotomy. Case follow-up during two weeks showed no postoperative complications and the patient was healthy.