Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome associated with contaminated foreign bodies (used feminine hygiene products) in a Golden Retriever dog

Abstract

A one-year-old male Golden Retriever presented with acute onset of vomiting and hemorrhagic diarrhea since 2 days. The dog was depressed, showing abdominal pain, 12% dehydration, tachycardia, and a bounding pulse. Diagnostic imaging showed severe dilatation and fluid retention of the entire gastrointestinal tract with decreased motility. A foreign body was found in the gastroduodenal region, but there was no obstruction or plication. The dog was tentatively diagnosed with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and rapidly recovered after supportive treatment. However, on the morning of day 4, anorexia and vomiting recurred, and diagnostic imaging revealed intestinal plication with free peritoneal fluid, not found on the previous image. An emergency laparotomy revealed the foreign body to be two used feminine hygiene products. These contaminated products were suspected to induce acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome, and led to subsequent complication in this large dog.