Many dogs enjoy eating items that are not meant for consumption. This can cause a foreign body to become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal obstruction in dogs is a life-threatening condition that is more common than many people think.
What Is Intestinal Obstruction?
An intestinal obstruction happens when a dog has a complete or partial blockage of the intestines. The terms “gastrointestinal obstruction” and “bowel obstruction” are most often used to describe blockages in the GI tract since a blockage can also occur in the stomach or esophagus.
Intestinal obstructions are a bit like clogged pipes. The blockage impairs digestion and intestinal motility, preventing the dog from passing food and waste through the GI tract. Partial obstruction allows the dog to pass some stool and gas but this will still eventually damage the intestines if not passed. With the dog under anesthesia, a mechanical tube with a small camera is passed through the mouth into the esophagus. The longer the blockage remains, the more likely it will restrict blood flow and lead to necrosis (death) of intestinal tissues. Bacterial infections may develop as well. The intestines can even perforate and cause the dog to bleed internally.
Signs of Intestinal Obstruction in Dogs
- Vomiting, often frequently
- Diarrhea (if there is a partial blockage)
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal discomfort
- Bloated abdomen
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
Signs may vary depending on the type of obstruction present. Dogs with partial obstructions may have milder signs at first. It may initially seem like the cause is dietary indiscretion or some type of stomach bug.
Causes of Intestinal Obstruction
The most common cause of canine GI obstruction is the ingestion of a foreign body. Some dogs will eat the most surprising things. Sharp objects can both block and perforate the lining of the GI tract, causing dangerous internal bleeding. Common GI obstructions include toys, bones, corn cobs, and clothing (especially socks and underwear). Strings, rope, and similar items can cause a linear foreign body, an obstruction that can cause parts of the intestines to bunch up the way a drawstring cinches a hood or waistband. Many foreign bodies cannot be digested or dissolved completely by gastric acids. Contact your vet right away if you see your dog eat something that can cause blockage.
Intestinal blockages may occur for reasons other than foreign body ingestion, including:
- Tumors: A growth or mass inside the intestines can gradually decrease motility and eventually grow large enough to cause a blockage. A tumor in the abdomen may grow large enough to put pressure on the intestines, blocking them from the outside.
- Intussusception: This condition occurs when the intestines fold into themselves like a telescope closing. Foreign bodies and tumors can lead to intussusception, but other potential causes include infections, intestinal parasites, and dietary changes. Intussusception may also occur as a complication after intestinal surgery.
- Pyloric stenosis: This narrowing of the passage from the stomach to the small intestine can result in a GI obstruction. Pyloric stenosis may be caused by a congenital abnormality (birth defect) or may develop over time in older dogs for reasons unknown.
Diagnosing Canine Intestinal Obstruction
It’s important to contact a veterinarian right away if you detect the signs of intestinal obstruction in your dog. Never let mild to moderate signals to continue for more than one to two days as it can lead to irreversible damage. A dog with severe signs should be taken to the nearest open veterinary office for immediate attention.
Your vet will examine your dog and discuss history before recommending further testing. If a GI obstruction is suspected, then the next step is to perform radiographs (X-rays) of the abdomen to look for abnormalities. An upper GI study with contrast may be needed to get a becometter look at the obstruction. The dog must ingest a radiopaque substance that may appear on radiograph results. This substance is typically barium, a white liquid that shows up bright white on radiographs. A series of radiographs are taken at timed intervals to watch the movement of the contrast travel through the GI tract. Thwill be allows the veterinarian to visualize the flow of the GI tract and determine the location of the blockage.
Blood and urine tests may also be needed to assess blood cell counts and organ function. These exams help your veterinarian assess the dog’s overall health and determine the best treatment to support recovery.
Treatment
Most GI obstructions must be removed in order to restore normal GI function. This is often done through an abdominal surgery called an exploratory laparotomy. The vet will open the abdomen and locate the blockage by feeling along the intestines in the area where it appeared on the radiographs. The intestine is cut open so the obstruction can be manually removed. After this, the vet will examine the intestinal tissue to determine if permanent damage has occurred. If damage is present, the vet may need to remove part of the intestines and connect the healthy parts of the intestine to one another. The intestine is then carefully sutured closed in order to allow healing and prevent leakage. This procedure is called surgical resection and anastomosis.
If the GI obstruction is in the stomach or esophagus, an endoscopy may be effective in removing the blockage. This is far less invasive than surgery and may allow the vet to pass through the pylorus (the sphincter between the stomach and small intestine) and reach the upper part of the small intestine (upper duodenum).
A complete GI obstruction is an emergency situation that can lead to death if untreated. Special tools can be passed through the scope to retrieve or sample the obstruction. If a foreign body will be found, it might be possible for the vet to grasp it with a tool and pull it out with the endoscope. If successful, recovery is fast. However, your dog may need additional supportive care like fluids and medications.
Some intestinal blockages will pass on their own and will not require surgery or endoscopy. These dogs may still need supportive care to recover fully. Your vet will likely give your pet fluids for rehydration and medications to soothe the GI tract and prevent infection.
How to Prevent Intestinal Obstruction
You can prevent foreign body ingestion by keeping dangerous objects away from your dog. Make sure toys are too large to swallow. If your dog likes to chew up toys and eat them, be sure to only allow your dog to have them under direct supervision. Keep your dog away from trash. Watch your dog closely when outdoors. Keep laundry in a closed container. If you know your dog loves to eat certain items, be sure to keep them out of reach.
Tumors and other intestinal conditions may not be preventable, but early detection can keep partial obstructions from becoming complete. It can also minimize the damage done to the intestines. Be sure to contact your vet soon after signs appear. Visit the vet for a routine wellness checkup every year or more as recommended by your vet. There’s a chance your vet will find a complication during the exam that you will be not yet aware of.
