Intestinal blockages are a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when an object becomes lodged in a dog's digestive tract. Our Westminster vets discuss the dangers of intestinal blockages and the surgery used to save dogs' lives.
Dogs & Intestinal Blockages
Intestinal blockages (also called bowel obstructions) occur when foreign objects or masses fully or partially obstruct the flow of food and waste through the digestive tract and decrease blood flow.
Common culprits include toys, bones, fabric, plastic, or even hairballs. Left untreated, these blockages can cause severe complications and be fatal. String, yarn, and rope fibers are especially hazardous for dogs because they can cause intestinal twisting. With older dogs, other common bowel obstructions to look out for are masses or tumors.
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.
Dog Intestinal Blockage Timeline
Many pet parents ask us, 'Can a dog die from intestinal blockage?'. Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding yes!
If an intestinal blockage is left untreated the blockage could press against the intestinal wall leading to damage of the intestines and possibly causing the tissue to die or result in a bowel rupture or perforation. Without appropriate treatment, dogs experiencing a complete intestinal blockage will typically die within 3-4 days.
Not all items ingested by your dog will necessarily go on to cause an obstruction. In some cases, foreign objects can pass on their own in time. However, when it comes to intestinal blockages in dogs, time is of the absolute essence. If the object does not pass on its own and your dog has the symptoms listed above, immediate treatment is required to prevent severe complications.
If your vet determines that the foreign object presents an immediate danger, emergency surgery will be required.
It is essential to seek urgent veterinary care if your canine companion shows any of the dog intestinal blockage symptoms listed below.
Signs that Your Dog May Have an Intestinal Blockage
How do you know if your dog has an intestinal blockage? Symptoms of intestinal blockages can be easy to brush off as merely an upset stomach unless you happened to witness your dog swallowing a foreign object. However, we recommend contacting your veterinarian right away if your dog shows any of the following symptoms.
- 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
If you think your dog ingested something suspicious or they are exhibiting the symptoms listed below, call your veterinarian as soon as possible, or contact your nearest animal emergency center.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Dog Intestinal Blockages
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 quickly.
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.
From there, your dog will be taken to the in-house diagnostic lab for X-rays and any other imaging technique required to try to see the foreign object. One such test is an endoscopy, a procedure that inserts a small tube with a tiny attached camera through your dog’s throat and into the stomach. Your dog would be sedated for this procedure.
Treatments For Intestinal Blockage 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.
Intestinal Blockage Surgery for Dogs
Dog intestinal blockage surgery is a major procedure, requiring your dog to be anesthetized. After the surgery, your dog may need to stay at the hospital and recover for several days.
For the intestinal surgery, your vet will make an incision into your dog’s abdomen near the blockage site and carefully extract the object. The length of surgery can vary because they may need to repair any damage to the stomach or intestinal wall resulting from the obstruction.
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 their 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 their previous diet during this time. Also, make sure they are getting enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Major surgery is painful. Your dog won’t be in pain during the surgery, of course, but will probably feel some discomfort afterward. Your veterinary surgeon will prescribe post-surgery pain medication for your dog. Be sure to follow the prescription instructions carefully to effectively manage your dog's pain at home and fight off infections.
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.
Intestinal Blockage Surgery Cost
The cost of intestinal blockage surgery for dogs varies dramatically depending on how extensive the surgery is, how long the obstruction has been present, the length of the hospital stay, and other factors such as the overall health of your dog, age of your dog, and even where you live.
Your veterinary clinic can provide you with the most accurate estimate of the cost of your dog's intestinal blockage surgery. In most cases, veterinary clinics are happy to provide pet parents with a complete breakdown of the costs associated with surgery and answer any questions about the treatment or the various fees.
Preventing Intestinal Blockages in Dogs
While it can certainly be challenging to prevent curious dogs from eating things they shouldn't, 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 their reach.
- Be vigilant about items in the house and track when they are missing.
- Keep an eye on your dog while they are playing with their 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.