That's gottta feel bad...

See the structure outlined in red on the radiograph (x-ray) above? That's the stomach. So what, you might say. The stomach is supposed to be filled with food, right? What if I told you this dog (2 years old, male-neutered, mixed breed) was vomiting, frequently? Hmmm. There shouldn't be a big distended stomach if the patient is vomiting. What if I told you the patient has a history of eating a bottle of epoxy glue? Uh oh.

With polyurethane glues, the glue absorbs water, enlarges, and then 'sets' in the stomach. The resultant concretion of glue then forms a mechanical obstacle to the passage of food and water, and can stimulate vomiting. One source says that it can expand up to 40 times the original volume. Fortunately for this pup, Dr. Grafinger was able to remove the glue surgically, and the patient is now as good as new! (Click here if you want to see an intra-operative photo of the glue being removed. Fair warning, it's PG-13 for blood).

I've never tasted it, but apparently some of these glues have a pleasant taste. Here's more information. Although I couldn't find any confirmed case reports in children, I presume it would also be a problem in children.