Segmental jejunal volvulus and hemoperitoneum secondary to small intestinal foreign material in a dog

A 5-year-old castrated male English bulldog was presented for evaluation of acute vomiting and anorexia. Abdominal ultrasound revealed obstructive small intestinal foreign material with a small amount of abdominal free fluid, consistent with hemoperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a segmental jejunal volvulus with foreign material extending from the portion of the intestines immediately orad to the volvulus into the affected intestinal loop. The dog fully recovered following resection and anastomosis of the affected small intestine. Key clinical message: This article documents the first reported case of jejunal volvulus suspected to be secondary to small intestinal foreign material. The dog was discharged 2 d postoperatively with no complications. Although reported outcomes for complete mesenteric volvulus are poor, segmental volvulus may have a better prognosis and should be considered as a differential diagnosis when small intestinal foreign material is causing obstructive ileus. The presence of hemoperitoneum may be an additional indicator that the ileus is associated with intestinal volvulus.