Gastro-Subcutaneous fistula due to penetrating foreign body ina dog

A five-year-old, male great dane was referred to the veterinary hospital of shahidbahonar university of kerman for treatment of a painful swelling mass at the left upper part ofthe chest wall, between 9th till 12th intercostals space. lethargy, depression, vomiting andabdominal pain in palpation of the mass were the main clinical observation with no response toantibiotic and anti-emetic treatment. following radiographic and endoscopic examinations, aforeign body in stomach was diagnosed. in surgical exploration, skin incision was carried outon the swelling mass and a sinus tract with a wooden sharp foreign body (20 cm length) wasidentified. after removing the foreign body and debridment of necrotic tissue in sinus tract, softtissue and skin were sutured. one month later, since partial wound dehiscence of surgical siteand fluid discharge was seen, therefore ventral midline exploratory laparotomy done andconfirmed a gastrocutaneous fistula. dissection of the fistula and surgical closure of thestomach, body wall and skin led to complete recovery.