Symptoms and Dangers of Intestinal Obstruction in Dogs

If some problem or object blocks the path through the gastrointestinal tract, our dog will develop what's known as an intestinal obstruction. This can cause serious complications, which is why it's important to see the vet urgently.

Swallowing foreign objects tends to be the most common cause of obstruction. That's why this problem is more common in puppies. The vet will need to restore normal intestinal flow as soon as possible to prevent serious damage, such as tissue death in the intestine. Want to learn the symptoms of this condition and its treatment? Let's get into it.

Characteristics of intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing fluids or food from passing through. This blockage can interrupt flow either completely or partially.

Symptoms of a partial intestinal obstruction include intermittent vomiting and diarrhea that doesn't clear up for weeks. This is a situation requiring veterinary care, but it's less severe than a complete obstruction. With that, the symptoms are as follows:

• Projectile vomiting, where the vomited material is forcefully expelled from the mouth. This is characteristic of an obstruction in the first part of the small intestine.
• Abdominal swelling.
• Brown vomit with a fecal smell.
• If the dog isn't passing stool or gas, that's a sign the obstruction is complete.

Which dogs get intestinal obstructions?

Any dog breed can be affected by this potentially serious problem. But it's more common in puppies or younger adult dogs. Intussusceptions are also seen more at these ages.

This is because its most common cause is swallowing foreign objects, more frequent in dogs still in the typical exploratory phase of growing up. A bone-based diet can also cause this type of obstruction.

Presence of foreign objects

Swallowing objects that end up lodged somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract and can't be passed naturally is the leading cause of intestinal obstruction in dogs. Dogs can end up swallowing just about anything.

Bones, toys, sticks, rocks, splinters, needles, clothing, balls, string, and so on — any of these could cause an intestinal obstruction. What's more, if these objects are sharp, they can even perforate the intestines and cause peritonitis.

Intussusception

After foreign objects, intussusception is the second most common cause we can find in dogs with intestinal obstruction. With intussusception, what happens is that a segment of intestine telescopes or folds inside another segment.

Picture a sock turned inside out. Intussusception is more common where the small and large intestine meet. This telescoping can progressively worsen, to the point of pulling in the small intestine.

Other causes of intestinal obstruction in dogs

Less often, a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract can be caused by tumors forming, narrowing or strictures developing, or umbilical and inguinal hernias trapping loops of intestine inside them.

• Everything about inguinal hernias in dogs

Adhesions in the area from abdominal surgery can also cause an intestinal obstruction. Adhesions cause organs or tissue to stick together. In very young puppies, in rare cases, an extremely large number of intestinal worms can form a mass capable of causing death from intestinal obstruction.

What is intestinal strangulation?

Strangulation is a very serious complication that can occur with intestinal obstruction. What happens is that the obstruction interferes with blood supply to the intestine. Without proper blood flow, the intestine becomes gangrenous — that is, the tissue dies within just a few hours. This is a true emergency situation.

The dog can die from developing peritonitis, which is inflammation of the cavity holding the abdominal organs. It can be localized or generalized. In the latter case, extremely serious, symptoms appear such as the following:

• Very intense abdominal pain, causing whimpering even with the slightest handling.
• The dog stops moving.
• Vomiting.
• A tucked-up, board-hard belly.
• Dehydration.
• Weak pulse.
• Rapid, labored breathing.
• Cold, pale gums.
• A dog with peritonitis can collapse and die within just a few hours.

How do I know if my dog has an intestinal obstruction?

If we suspect our dog has swallowed a foreign object, or notice symptoms like those mentioned, we should see the vet quickly. At the clinic, the vet can reach a diagnosis with abdominal X-rays. With an intestinal obstruction, distended loops of intestine full of gas, and sometimes foreign objects, can be seen.

What is the treatment for an intestinal obstruction?

These cases will need surgical resolution to remove the obstruction and restore normal flow. If any part of the intestine has already become gangrenous, it needs to be cut out and the healthy ends of intestine reconnected with stitches. In extremely severe cases of peritonitis, the dog needs to be stabilized before surgery.

Can intestinal obstruction be prevented?

Basically, we need to keep the dog away from foreign objects that could pose a safety risk. These precautions are essential for puppies, who tend to swallow any object. We should also regularly check their toys in case any are damaged, and only give them toys specifically made for dogs.

On the other hand, it's not a good idea to base their diet on bones, or give them small, sharp, or easily splintering ones. What's more, at the slightest suspicion of an obstruction, we should see the vet to prevent, as much as possible, its serious complications.

Bibliography Carlson and Giffin. 2002. Manual práctico de veterinaria canina. Madrid. Editorial el Drac.