Spontaneous jejunal ischaemic event following jejunotomy for a gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction in a young dog

Abstract A 6‐month‐old female spayed labradoodle presented to a referral practice after multiple episodes of vomiting and anorexia. On presentation, the patient was tachycardic, dehydrated and tense on abdominal palpation. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a foreign body obstruction within the distal jejunum. A jejunotomy was performed via a midline celiotomy, and the obstruction was relieved. Following the jejunotomy, transient ischaemia of the jejunal segment developed, which began to self‐resolve before abdominal closure. A postoperative thromboelastogram was consistent with a hypercoagulable state, which is suspected to have resulted in the formation of a thrombus in the jejunal vasculature. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with dalteparin subcutaneously for 5 days until discharge. A repeat thromboelastogram and abdominal ultrasound performed at 7 months postoperatively were unremarkable. To the authors’ knowledge, there has been no prior literature documenting an ischaemic event following an enterotomy for foreign body removal. The presence of intestinal ischaemia during intestinal surgery does not always necessitate resection and anastomosis.