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Intestinal obstruction in dogs

Intestinal obstruction is a stopping of the passage of digestive contents through the intestine. Nothing can move towards the exit anymore. Prior to the blockage, the intestine fills with liquid and gas, becomes distended and its wall cease...

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

Intestinal obstruction is a stopping of the passage of digestive contents through the intestine. Nothing can move towards the exit anymore.

Prior to the blockage, the intestine fills with liquid and gas, becomes distended and its wall ceases to be properly irrigated. Bacteria and toxins then pass into the blood.

The obstruction may be complete or partial. Complete, it puts the dog's life at stake in one to two days. Partial, it gives signs that come and go, which often delays the consultation.

Key point

A complete occlusion is a surgical emergency. A dog who vomits everything he drinks, has no more stools and has a painful stomach should be taken to a veterinarian the same day, without laxatives or enemas given at home.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Vomiting Loss of appetite Pain Reduction Constipation Dehydration Bloating Pale mucous membranes

Repeated vomiting, first food then liquid, yellow or green. The higher the blockage is in the intestine, the earlier and more violent the vomiting.

Complete refusal of food.

Absence of stools, or efforts without result; sometimes a small amount of fluid will flow around the obstruction.

Abdominal pain: the dog complains, stands hunched over, refuses to have his stomach touched.

Increasing depression, dog remaining lying down.

Swollen stomach and digestive noises which disappear.

Rapid dehydration due to vomiting.

Pale gums, cold and weak dog in advanced forms.

In case of intussusception, one part of the intestine slides into the next; we can then observe mucus-like stools tinged with blood, particularly in puppies.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Swallowed foreign body: this is the most common cause in dogs.

Intussusception of one segment of intestine into the next, favored by severe diarrhea or parasitic infestation, especially in young dogs.

Tumor of the intestinal wall, mainly in older dogs.

Hernia in which a loop of intestine becomes stuck.

Straps and adhesions after old abdominal surgery.

Twisting of a segment of intestine on itself, rare but dramatic situation.

Accumulation of hard materials in the colon, especially after ingestion of bones.

Puppies and young dogs swallowing objects.

Dogs heavily parasitized or with severe diarrhea, for the risk of intussusception.

Elderly dog, for tumor risk.

History of abdominal surgery.

Habit of eating bones, stones or garbage.

History of foreign body ingestion.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

A dog that vomits repeatedly, refuses to eat and has no more stools should be examined the same day.

The veterinarian palpates the abdomen, looking for a mass, dilated loop, or localized pain, and assesses hydration and circulation.

X-rays of the abdomen show dilated loops and signs of obstruction; a contrast agent is sometimes used.

An ultrasound specifies the level of the blockage, highlights an intussusception, a mass or a foreign body not visible on the x-ray.

A blood test assesses the general impact: dehydration, imbalances, kidney damage.

Do not give laxatives, oils or enemas on your own initiative: on a blocked intestine, these actions are dangerous.

Treatment

The dog is first stabilized: perfusion, correction of imbalances, pain management.

Treatment of a complete occlusion is surgical and urgent. The surgeon removes the obstacle, checks the condition of the intestine and removes the segments whose tissues are destroyed.

An intussusception is put back in place, and the damaged segment is removed if necessary; the underlying cause, often parasitic or infectious, is treated in parallel.

A tumor is removed with a margin of healthy tissue and then analyzed.

After the operation, monitoring focuses on pain, resumption of transit and the risk of leakage at the suture level; feeding gradually resumes with a digestible food.

A partial obstruction by an object likely to pass may be subject to close monitoring, but this decision rests with the veterinarian and requires regular reassessment.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Prevent access to swallowable objects: small toys, cooked bones, strings, rags, stones.

Choose sturdy toys suited to the size of the dog, and replace them as soon as they become damaged.

Close the trash cans and watch for dog walks.

Deworm regularly, especially puppies: this reduces the risk of intussusception.

Rapidly treat severe diarrhea in young dogs.

Have any older dog with persistent digestive problems examined to detect a tumor at a useful stage.

Possible complications

Necrosis of the intestinal wall, then perforation.

Peritonitis, generalized infection of the abdomen, very serious.

State of shock due to dehydration and passage of toxins into the blood.

Kidney damage.

Leak at the suture level after surgery, a feared complication which requires reoperation.

Long-lasting digestive problems when a long section of intestine had to be removed.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog vomits repeatedly and no longer keeps water: consult without delay.

He hasn't had any bowel movements for more than a day and is making efforts to no avail.

His stomach is swollen, hard or painful to the touch.

He refuses to eat and becomes more and more despondent.

He may have swallowed an object, a bone or a toy.

Your puppy has mucus and bloody diarrhea with pain: intussusception must be ruled out.

His gums are pale or he is cold and weak: this is an immediate emergency.

Prognosis

The prognosis is good when the obstruction is removed before the intestine is destroyed: most dogs operated on in time recover completely.

It becomes reserved in cases of perforation, peritonitis or removal of a long segment of intestine.

The treatment time is the most determining factor: a complete occlusion left to evolve for more than one or two days becomes very serious.

When the cause is a tumor, the prognosis depends on its nature and its extension, clarified by the analysis.

Frequently asked questions

My dog is constipated: is it an obstruction?

Not necessarily. Simple constipation is accompanied by a dog that stays alert and eats. The obstruction combines repeated vomiting, refusal to eat, pain and depression: it is this association which should alert you.

Can I give him some oil or a laxative to help?

No. On a blocked intestine, these products increase upstream pressure and can promote perforation. You should not give anything and consult.

Can an occlusion resolve itself?

A partial obstruction caused by a small smooth object can sometimes become unblocked, but this can be monitored at the veterinarian with regular check-ups. A complete occlusion never resolves on its own.

Why does intussusception mainly affect puppies?

Because severe diarrhea and parasitic infestations, common at this age, cause disordered intestinal movements that cause one segment of intestine to slip into the next. Regular deworming reduces this risk.