Gastro-Subcutaneous fistula due to penetrating foreign body in a dog

A five-year-old, male Great Dane was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman for treatment of a painful swelling mass at the left upper part of the chest wall, between 9th till 12th intercostals space. Lethargy, depression, vomiting and abdominal pain in palpation of the mass were the main clinical observation with no response to antibiotic and anti-emetic treatment. Following radiographic and endoscopic examinations, a foreign body in stomach was diagnosed. In surgical exploration, skin incision was carried out on the swelling mass and a sinus tract with a wooden sharp foreign body (20 cm length) was identified. After removing the foreign body and debridment of necrotic tissue in sinus tract, soft tissue and skin were sutured. One month later, since partial wound dehiscence of surgical site and fluid discharge was seen, therefore ventral midline exploratory laparotomy done and confirmed a gastrocutaneous fistula. Dissection of the fistula and surgical closure of the stomach, body wall and skin led to complete recovery. Key words: Gastro-subcutaneous fistula, Foreign body, Dog.