Survey of Esophageal Foreign Body Obstruction in Dogs at Private Clinics in Abuja FCT

Esophageal foreign body obstruction is a clinically urgent condition in dogs that requires prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent esophageal necrosis, aspiration pneumonia, and death. This survey documents the types of foreign bodies, clinical presentations, diagnostic imaging findings, management approaches, and outcomes in dogs presenting with esophageal obstruction at private veterinary clinics in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, from January 2022 to June 2024. Forty-one confirmed cases of esophageal foreign body obstruction were enrolled. Lateral thoracic and cervical radiographs were used as the primary diagnostic tool, with contrast esophagography employed in cases where foreign body opacity was indeterminate. Bone fragments and whole bones were the most commonly identified foreign bodies, comprising 68% of cases. The cervical esophagus and thoracic inlet were the most frequent obstruction sites. Endoscopic retrieval was successfully accomplished in 54% of cases, while rigid forceps per-oral retrieval was used in 29%. Surgical esophagotomy was required in 17% of cases where less invasive approaches failed. Aspiration pneumonia occurred as a concurrent finding in 20% of patients. Outcome to discharge was satisfactory in 83% of managed cases. These findings underscore the role of owner dietary practices, particularly feeding raw and cooked bones, in the development of esophageal foreign body obstruction in pet dogs in urban Nigerian centers. Veterinary education and client counseling on safe feeding practices are strongly recommended. Keywords: esophageal foreign body, canine, endoscopic retrieval, Abuja, esophagotomy.