If your dog has a habit of chewing and eating everything in sight, you might be concerned about potential intestinal blockages. Our Tigard vets see this serious condition frequently and if it's not treated quickly it can cause devastating health issues and in some cases, major surgery is required to save your dog's life.
How do intestinal blockages happen in dogs?
A common cause for concern in all dogs is bowel obstruction, which is when his stomach or intestines have been partially or completely blocked. Blockages cause a number of complications, including preventing food and water from passing through his GI tract and decreasing blood flow. Your dog can even die from an intestinal blockage within 3-7 days.
Blockages can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. Some may be able to pass into the esophagus, but not into the stomach. Others may pass into the stomach but not into the intestines or become lodged in the intricate twists and turns of a dog’s intestines.
Foreign bodies are the most common type of bowel obstruction. Every dog is at risk of swallowing unexpected items such as toys, trash, socks, underwear, dish towels, and so on. String, yarn, and rope fibers are especially dangerous to dogs because they can twist their intestines. Other common bowel obstructions to look out for in older dogs are masses or tumors.
What are the signs of intestinal blockages in dogs?
What are the symptoms of an intestinal blockage in your dog? Unless you saw your dog swallow a foreign object, symptoms of dog intestinal blockage could be easily dismissed as an upset stomach.
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Straining or unable to poop
- Painful abdomen to the touch
- Whining
- Bloating
- Dehydration
- Restlessness
- Aggressive behavior when the abdomen is touched
Diagnosis for intestinal blockages in dogs
If you saw your dog eat a foreign object, you might be wondering how you can help your dog pass the obstruction, but you should not attempt this on your own, your dog needs veterinary care.
Your vet will first perform a physical exam on your dog, paying special attention to the abdomen. They may also perform blood work to determine if the blockage is affecting your dog’s overall health.
Your dog will then be taken to the in-house diagnostic lab for X-rays and any other imaging techniques needed to try to see the foreign object. Endoscopy is one such test, which involves inserting a small tube with a tiny attached camera through your dog's throat and into the stomach. This procedure would require your dog to be sedated.
Treatment for intestinal blockages in dogs
Treatment for intestinal obstructions can be surgical or non-surgical. Many factors go into this decision including the location, how long the object has been stuck, and the size, shape, and structure of the object.
In some cases, a vet can retrieve the foreign object with an endoscope. If this is not possible, your vet likely will consult the ultrasound or X-rays to determine where (and what) the obstruction is.
Some foreign objects can pass on their own over time. When it comes to a timeline for intestinal blockage in dogs, however, time is of the essence. If the object does not pass on its own and your dog exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, he or she should be treated as soon as possible.
If your vet determines that the foreign object presents an immediate danger, emergency surgery is ordered.
Intestinal blockage surgery for dogs
Dog intestinal blockage surgery is a major procedure, requiring your dog to be anesthetized. After the surgery, your dog will stay at the hospital and recover for several days.
Your veterinarian will make an incision in your dog's abdomen near the blockage site and carefully extract the object. Because they may need to repair any damage to the stomach or intestinal wall caused by the obstruction, the length of surgery can vary.
Your dog’s survival after surgery to remove an intestinal blockage depends on a few things:
- Size, shape, and location of the foreign object
- How long the foreign object has been stuck in the intestines
- Your dog’s health before the surgery
The physical exam and diagnostic tests that your vet performs before surgery will help them determine how well they think your dog will do after veterinary surgery. Of course, the sooner the surgery is performed, the better.
Dogs recovery after intestinal blockage surgery
The most critical period for your dog is the first 72 hours after surgery. If the patient is doing well after 72 hours then they typically recover well, but there are still some potential complications:
- Sepsis (blood poisoning)
- Hypoalbuminemia (low protein count)
- Dehiscence (Wound separation or opening)
After surgery and hospitalization, monitor your dog and keep its activity level very low. Stick to short walks for at least a week — you don’t want their sutures to tear. Your dog will also need to wear a cone to keep them from chewing on the healing incision.
It’s important to feed your dog small amounts of bland food before gradually transitioning to his previous diet during this time. Also, make sure they are getting enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Major surgery is excruciatingly painful. Of course, your dog will not be in pain during the surgery, but he or she will most likely be in pain afterward. Your veterinarian will prescribe pain medication for your dog following surgery. To keep your dog's pain under control at home and to fight off infections, carefully follow the prescription instructions.
Anesthesia can make some dogs feel nauseated after surgery and it’s actually common for dogs to vomit afterward. So, your vet may also prescribe medications to relieve your dog’s nausea and vomiting, if needed.
The cost of surgery
The cost of intestinal blockage surgery for dogs can vary dramatically depending on the extent of the surgery, the length of the hospital stay, and a variety of other factors.
Typically, the cost can range anywhere from $800 to $7000. The good news is that there are ways to prevent this from happening to your pet in the first place.
Preventing intestinal blockages in dogs
The best way to prevent intestinal blockages in your dog is to limit their chances of ingesting non-food material.
- Putting things your dog may eat out of his reach.
- Be vigilant about items in the house and track when they are missing.
- Keep an eye on your dog while he is playing with his toys or chewing on rawhide or bones.
- Keep your dogs from scavenging through garbage and debris (outside and inside the house).
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.