Bowel Obstruction In Dogs

An intestinal obstruction — also called a bowel obstruction — is a condition that’s common in dogs. When we consider a dog’s habit of eating just about anything they can find, which includes non-food objects, it’s no surprise that they can become regularly affected by stomach and bowel issues. Let’s be kind to our canine friends and just call them ‘indiscriminate eaters’, shall we?

A bowel obstruction can be either a complete or partial blockage of fluid and food flow through the small intestines. This blockage typically leads to a decrease of blood supply to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can have serious consequences: it can lead to the necrosis (death) of intestinal tissue and potential perforation.
Bacteria from the bowels can also spill into the abdominal cavity, which causes septic peritonitis.

A bowel obstruction in dogs can be extremely painful, and far worse — if left untreated it can be a fatal condition. Learn more about this condition, including to identify the signs of intestinal blockage in dogs.

Regular check-ups with a licensed vet can help to prevent more serious conditions from developing. Find out more about a Wellness Plan — get the right plan for your pup now. 

Intestinal or bowel obstruction in dogs can be relatively easy to identify, with a range of different symptoms. Would you know how to tell if your dog has a blockage?

Here are some of the most common signs a dog has something stuck in its stomach.

• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Straining during bowel movements
• Diarrhea
• Tarry stools
• Inability to defecate
• Lethargy
• Burping
• Excessive drooling
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Remaining still
• Refusing to lie down

Types of bowel obstruction in dogs

An intestinal or bowel obstruction in dogs can refer to two different types of blockage.
These are:

• Gastric outflow obstruction – Obstruction of fluid and food movement from the stomach to the small intestine.
• Small intestinal obstruction – Obstruction of fluid and food movement through the small intestine.

There’s a range of likely causes for the occurrence of both types of bowel obstruction in dogs.

Gastric outflow obstruction
Causes of gastric outflow obstruction can include:

• Ingestion of objects that can’t be broken down by the digestive system. In other words, stuff your dog’s eaten that it really should have. The list here is endless, but typically includes rawhides and bones (big chunks), toys, clothes, towels, stuffed animals, rocks, sticks, tennis balls, shoelaces, hair ties/bands, ribbons… you get the idea!
• Abdominal tumors or growths
• Gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and small intestine
• Pyloric stenosis — narrowing of the pyloric sphincter
• Gastric dilatation volvulus — known as GDV or bloat, this is a condition where the stomach twists
  
  

Small intestinal obstruction
The causes of small intestinal obstruction can also include some of those contributory factors in gastric outflow obstruction — namely, your dog eating unsuitable objects, an abdominal tumor and gastroenteritis.

Other causes include:

• Intestinal parasites
• Intestinal stricture — a narrowing of the intestine
• Hernia
• Intussusception — a folding of the intestine

If you suspect your dog has swallowed something large, sharp, indigestible and potentially harmful, don’t hesitate to visit your vet immediately. If you don’t witness anything but can see some of the signs that your dog has something stuck in its stomach, it’s critical to see your veterinarian for an examination.

A physical examination will allow the vet to reach a diagnosis. This might include checking the abdomen to determine the presence of any masses, intussusception, pain or foreign objects. You’ll be asked whether your pet has had any access to any dangerous items, or could have raided the trash.

If the vet thinks there could be an intestinal obstruction, blood testing may take place to potentially confirm an infection. Abdominal radiographs can aid in visualizing foreign bodies, tumors and abnormal bowels, so the vet gets a clear picture of what’s affecting your dog.

Ultrasound is another tool that can help to identify the presence of an obstruction and its location within the dog’s body.

If diagnostics indicate an intestinal obstruction, exploratory surgery (laparotomy) can be performed (often the same day) to locate and remove the obstruction.

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Once an intestinal or bowel obstruction in dogs has been diagnosed, treatment is required — and in some cases, this needs to be urgent. Treatment options will vary, depending on the root cause of the bowel obstruction affecting your dog. A typical treatment process includes:

Induce Vomiting

If your dog’s intestinal obstruction has been caused by ingesting something, the vet may be able to induce vomiting to reject the foreign object. The pet will be sent home and should be monitored to check on appetite, any further vomiting and normal bowel movements (to ensure all potential danger of obstruction was eliminated through vomiting).

Depending on the severity of the situation, and when the diagnosis was made, vomiting might not be sufficient treatment. Prognosis can be good if an intestinal obstruction is caught and treated early, but poor if much time has been allowed to lapse.

Hospitalization and Stabilization

An intestinal obstruction can be life-threatening. In some cases, once diagnosis is made, the pet will be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids to aid in hydration and electrolyte restoration.

If an obstruction appears it may pass, the veterinarian may use fluid therapy and medical therapy to attempt to speed up the process. Continued radiographs can help in examining movement of the object.

Laparotomy

Gastric dilatation volvulus requires immediate surgery — which can involve a process called a laparotomy, which is performed in the abdominal area. Here, foreign objects or masses that are obstructing the intestines will be removed, as well as any necrotic tissue. The dog will undergo general anesthesia throughout the surgery: the stomach and/or small intestines will be opened to remove the foreign object/mass or to correct any abnormal folding.

Resection and Anastomosis

Any dead intestinal tissue will be identified and removed. The intestines will be closed and examined for possible spots of leakage. If this procedure must be performed, the probability of post-operative complications increases.

Gastropexy

In the case of gastric dilatation volvulus, the stomach may be sutured to the intestinal wall to prevent recurrence. Some deep-chested dogs (Great Danes, sight hounds, such as the Irish Wolfhound) have this surgery as a preventative measure.

After surgery, the pet patient might be hospitalized for two to three days to monitor stability — this is an invasive surgery. Antibiotics, pain medications and anti-emetics (anti-nausea medications) will be administered via injection. Oral medications are likely to be continued following release.

After surgery, it’s important to keep your pet well rested for a few weeks. Food is often withheld for a period of time and then a bland diet is introduced in small amounts every few hours. The portion sizes are gradually increased over two to three days and the diet is then transitioned back to the normal diet gradually over seven days.

During this time, It’s important to monitor your pet for vomiting, appetite, and bowel movements and report any abnormalities to your veterinarian.

Ingestion of foreign objects can lead to costly veterinary bills. Keep pets from chewing things they could swallow or tear up and then swallow. Be especially careful with trash bins – keep them in a closed closet or use a secure lid so your dog can’t get access to them.

The veterinarian will most likely perform a physical exam first which can cost $50 to $100 on average. The doctor may require blood testing to determine any infections. Blood testing can cost between $50 and $400. An abdominal radiograph may be necessary for a better view of what and where the object is. This test can cost between $150 and $400.

If the doctor needs a better view, she may order an ultrasound that can cost $230 to $400. Once the veterinarian has concluded the cause and location of the obstruction, she will start treatment. The dog will need to be hospitalized with intravenous fluids, which can be quite costly, depending on medications needed and response to therapy. If the veterinarian needs to perform a laparotomy, this will require a general anesthesia and can cost between $500 and $5000, depending on how diseased the intestines are. Finally, your dog will need a variety of medications along the way, and once released from the hospital.