Intramural Abscess Causing Obstruction at a Previous Jejunal Enterotomy Site in a Dog

This case report documents a novel late surgical complication in a 2 yr old dog following an enterotomy to remove a jejunal foreign body. Twenty-six days following the original surgery, the dog was re-presented with signs consistent with an intestinal obstruction. A mural intestinal abscess was found as the cause of the obstruction during exploratory surgery, and the site was successfully removed with a resection and anastomosis. Histopathology showed multifocal abscessation with cyst-like structures partially lined with mucosa. The dog recovered without complication and remains healthy 4 mo later. The exact cause of the lesion is not known; however, local contamination through a focal mucosal defect or complications related to the use of barbed suture in the original enterotomy repair may have contributed.