Intestinal (Bowel) Obstruction in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

December 9, 2010 | Healthy Dog | Leave a Comment |

Causes of Intestinal Obstruction in Dogs

Dogs are more prone to bowel obstruction as they cannot differentiate what should they ingest. They tend to eat anything they can put inside their mouth and chew. This leads the dog to experience a common problem such as intestinal obstruction.

  • Intestinal obstruction can also be called bowel obstruction or blocked bowel.
  • An intestinal obstruction is most often caused by a foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract resulting from the dog eating something it shouldn’t.
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  • Other causes of intestinal obstruction include intussusceptions, hernias, tumors, and adhesions resulting from abdominal surgery. Also read what if my dog has blood vomiting

Symptoms of Bowel Obstruction in Dogs

Symptoms of a bowel obstruction may very depending on the type of obstruction and where the obstruction is located.

  • Partial blockage – intermittent vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping.
  • Complete blockage – severe and sudden abdominal pain, violent and projectile vomiting.
  • Vomited material may consist of fecal-like matter especially if the blockage is in the lower gastrointestinal tract. This is often also accompanied by abdominal distention. Also read pancreatic enzyme deficiency in dogs
  • If the blockage is causing an interference with blood flow, this can result in intestinal strangulation and the bowel will start to rot within a few hours.

Treatment of Obstruction in Dogs

  • Treatment of the obstruction depends on the type.
  • When the dog is observed to manifest the abovementioned symptoms of intestinal obstruction, the dog should be taken to the vet for proper diagnosis and management.
  • The dog will have to undergo different types of diagnostic tests to confirm the impression of intestinal obstruction as well as to visualize the offending object causing the blockage.
  • For severe cases and shock, the dog will have to be treated for shock as well as undergo surgery if necessitated.

The best treatment is always prevention. Dog owners should proof their homes and keep the ground clean of any objects the dog might try and ingest.

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