How to Manage Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

How to Manage Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

Dogs are curious beings, they go around sniffing and chewing on whatever they lay their sight on. But this habit can lead to a severe problem such as intestinal blockage. also known as bowel obstruction that adversely impacts your canine’s digestive system and overall health as a result.

Intestinal blockage is most commonly caused when a dog eats a foreign object like toys, tiny balls, stones, or parts of clothing. However, there are other causes such as strictures (narrowing of the intestine), intussusception (a part of the intestine slides into another), parasitic infection, hernia, torsion (twisting of the bowel), or inflammation or a tumour in the intestine.

Bowel obstruction demands prompt veterinarian consultation as it can be life-threatening. Don’t fret! This blog will walk you through the fundamentals of intestinal blockage in dogs and guide you on how to deal with it better.

Common Signs of Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

Most dog parents often find themselves wondering, how do I know if my dog ate something it shouldn’t have and has a blockage? Here are the common signs you can look for to suspect bowel obstruction in dogs:

  • Vomiting 
  • Weakness
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea
  • Dehydration
  • Restlessness
  • Whining
  • Loss of appetite
  • Painful abdomen
  • Straining or unable to defecate
  • Abdominal tenderness

How to Clear Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

This segment describes about the basic process of dealing with an intestinal blockage in dogs.

Diagnosis

If your dog shows any of the symptoms mentioned above or you saw it consume a foreign object, take the pet to the vet immediately. The vet will perform a physical examination, mainly on the abdomen to get the initial impression.

For further diagnosis, they will do an X-ray or use other imaging techniques to determine the condition.

Treatment

After the diagnosis, your veterinarian will suggest a suitable treatment depending on the severity of your dog’s condition. Several factors are considered before deciding on the treatment, such as:

  • Shape and size of the object
  • The place where the object is stuck
  • How long it’s stuck there

The treatment may include surgical intervention. Some objects can pass on their own after some time. However, if the object is large and poses a danger, the vet may suggest prompt surgery.

Where the underlying cause of the obstruction is other than a foreign object, the vet will ask for further investigations and will determine the course of treatment accordingly.

Recovery

The first 72 hours after the surgery require intensive care as your pet will be susceptible to infection, low protein count, or wound opening. During the recovery period, you will need to closely monitor your dog. Keep their activity to the minimum, give small amounts of bland food, and keep them adequately hydrated.

For pain or other post-surgery symptoms, the vet will prescribe the required treatments for speedy recovery. Follow the prescription and consult your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet and physical activities.

Tips to Prevent Intestinal Blockage

The best way to save your furry friend from the discomfort and pain of bowel obstruction is to take preventive measures in advance. You can do the following:

  • Remove damaged toys, broken pieces, or loose stuff
  • Don’t let your dog play with small objects
  • Be vigilant if things go missing in your house
  • Supervise your dog in and out of your home
  • Use a muzzle when going out if needed
  • Keep the trash cans covered
  • Train your dog to leave a foreign object on verbal commands

Parting Words

Intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction can occur anywhere in the digestive system and should never be taken lightly. Follow the guidelines mentioned in this blog and keep your doggo safe and happy!

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