It’s not unusual for Sharpie to skip her breakfast every now and again, but when she stopped eating her dinner and became lethargic, her Mum, Nurse Becc immediately became concerned (especially since she’s known for eating unfavourable items such as bark and toys!)
Off to work with her Mum, Sharpie was admitted to hospital for blood testing and radiographs. Her blood test results were relatively normal, and the x-rays didn’t reveal a great deal. Sharpie was administered intravenous fluid therapy throughout the day and offered some bland boiled chicken. Sharpie continued IV fluids and returned with her Mum the following morning.
Despite 24 hours of IV fluid therapy, Sharpie remained lethargic, inappetent and was not toileting as normal. Given Sharpie’s dietary choices in the past, Dr. Susi decided to administer BIPS (Barium-Impregnated Polyethylene Spheres) to evaluate gastrointestinal motility and detect any obstructions in the digestive system. BIPS are radiopaque, meaning they show clearly on x-rays, allowing veterinarians to track their movement through the digestive tract.
How are BIPS used in veterinary medicine?
- Evaluating GI Motility: BIPS are administered orally to the dog in either small or large sizes, depending on the dog’s size and the nature of the test. Veterinarians can then use X-rays to monitor how quickly and efficiently the spheres move through the GI tract. This helps in diagnosing motility disorders, such as delayed gastric emptying or abnormal intestinal transit times.
- Detecting GI Obstruction: In cases where an obstruction is suspected, BIPS can help identify the location and severity of the blockage. If the spheres stop moving or accumulate in a specific part of the intestines, it may indicate a partial or complete obstruction.
- Non-Invasive Test: BIPS are a less invasive alternative to endoscopy or exploratory surgery for diagnosing certain GI issues. They are commonly used in dogs with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or chronic constipation, where other causes have been ruled out.
By using BIPS, veterinarians can gather valuable information about a dog’s gastrointestinal function in a safe and relatively easy manner.
Sharpie returned the following day for repeat x-rays. It could be seen that the small BIPS were moving through the gastrointestinal tract, however the large BIPS were not moving through normally. Dr. Susi and the team decided to induce vomiting to see if the large BIPS would make their way back up – and sure enough they did, along with a lot of grass and a tiny piece of a toy. Although not your typical dietary choice, these should have been able to pass through the digestive tract. For completeness, Sharpie was admitted for an ultrasound with Dr. Susi. The ultrasound revealed enlarged lymph nodes, (a consequence of being unwell) but no other abnormalities were noted.
Sharpie returned home and began a specialised gastrointestinal diet. She has since become increasingly interested in her meals, showing great excitement during every meal. We’re pleased to report that Sharpie has not experienced any further tummy upsets and is back to being her normal crazy self!