Ileocolic Perforation Secondary to Disk Battery Ingestion in a Dog

A 7 yr old spayed female shih tzu was evaluated for anorexia of 4 days duration. Conservative treatment for gastroenteritis had been administered by another veterinarian 2 days before presentation. Abdominal radiography revealed two round, disk-shaped, metallic-opacity foreign objects within the bowel with loss of serosal detail. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed circumferential full-thickness necrosis and perforation of the intestines at the ileocolic junction with a small amount of peritoneal effusion. Two disk batteries were palpated in the colon and milked out of the rectum. An ileocolic anastomosis was performed without complication. However, the dog died following cardiopulmonary arrest shortly after extubation. Disk batteries are capable of causing severe tissue necrosis due to the generation of electric current when prolonged contact with mucosal surfaces occurs. Immediate removal is recommended to prevent gastrointestinal perforation and potential fatalities.