In our previous post about Zadock’s struggle with an intestinal obstruction, we followed the story of a young yellow lab through his diagnosis, surgery and recovery. Za was a lucky puppy. Not only has Za made a full recovery, he now has a new little sister, shown in the photo with him.
In this post, we want to cover the signs and symptoms of canine intestinal blockage. Early recognition and diagnosis by a veterinarian just may save your beloved furkid.
Canine Intestinal Blockage Signs and Symptoms
Canine intestinal obstructions are most frequently due to ingestion of foreign objects. Puppies are especially vulnerable, as they will eat most anything they can get in their mouths. Other causes may be intussusception, hernias, tumors and complications from abdominal surgery.
The most common symptoms include, but not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping. The dog may exhibit signs of pain in the abdominal area and appear bloated. Cases of complete blockage may produce severe and sudden abdominal pain accompanied by violent projectile vomiting. Vomit may contain fecal like material. Repeated vomiting of water or fluid is another very common symptom of an intestinal obstruction. Other symptoms include lack of appetite, weakness, dehydration and lack of energy.
It is important to seek the care of your veterinarian if your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms. Prolonged obstructions can lead to a lack of blood flow around the affected tissue causing the tissue to die. This condition complicates treatment and may require resection of the intestine. Canine intestinal obstructions are treatable when diagnosed early with very positive outcomes. Waiting to seek help greatly increases the chances of a non-favorable outcome.
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