This study aimed to examine the cases of simple, partial and complete obstructions of the digestive tract of small animals treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Viçosa during the year of 2010, reporting the evolution period, clinical and laboratorial changes, and the outcome of patients, as well as determining breed, sexual and age predilections. Predisposition of small breeds and ages ranging from two to twelve months and after five years was observed, with breed predilection for Teckels The largest number of foreign bodies was found in the stomach and intestines, with greater severity and higher mortality rate when compared with esophageal foreign bodies. The longest clinical course contributed to higher mortality rates. Clinical symptoms of the animals were quite diverse, but apathy and anorexia occurred in most cases. Regurgitation and vomiting were frequent when the foreign body was esophageal or gastrointestinal, respectively. The laboratory tests were nonspecific.
digestive foreign bodies; gastrotomy; enterotomy
