Causes, Diagnosis, and Prevention of Small Intestinal Obstruction in Dogs Small Intestinal Obstruction

Small intestinal obstruction is an acute abdominal condition in dogs, often caused by mechanical blockage of the small intestinal lumen or irreversible changes in the normal position of the small intestine, such as intussusception, incarceration, and volvulus. In addition to causing intestinal blockage, small intestinal obstruction is also accompanied by local blood circulation disturbance.

Causes: ingestion of bones, fruit pits, and elastic toys. Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms; roundworm-induced intestinal obstruction in puppies under four months of age is one of the main causes. Post-surgical intestinal adhesions, intestinal tumors. Strenuous activity after eating causing mesenteric rupture, diaphragmatic rupture, or umbilical hernia causing the intestine to enter the rupture opening and hernial ring, resulting in intestinal incarceration. Canine distemper and enteritis can cause paralysis of part of the intestine; increased peristalsis of the anterior intestinal segment can lead to secondary intussusception.

[Symptoms] The typical symptoms of intestinal obstruction include abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal distension, and cessation of defecation.

Early symptoms: not eating, whining intermittently, vomiting, lying down and rolling. Sometimes there is a small amount of feces. As the condition progresses, persistent vomiting occurs, with severe dehydration, sunken eyeballs, decreased skin elasticity, increased abdominal circumference, and difficulty breathing. As local blood circulation disturbance of the intestine develops, the affected intestinal segment begins to show paralysis and necrosis, at which point the pain response disappears in the affected dog. However, clinically, severe depression, autointoxication, shock, and other symptoms appear; if not treated promptly, this will result in death.

The symptoms of chronic intestinal obstruction mainly manifest as the animal gradually becoming emaciated, dehydrated, and having a history of prolonged treatment without recovery.

[Diagnosis] A preliminary diagnosis can be made based on history and clinical symptoms. Abdominal palpation can detect an obvious obstructive mass or the transition zone of differing thickness at an intussusception. If the abdomen is highly tense and palpation is affected, a small dose of sedative or muscle relaxant, such as 846 compound anesthetic or chlorpromazine, can be injected. After the animal becomes calm, palpation examination can then be performed.

Where conditions permit, X-ray examination can be used, which may show gas accumulation in the segment anterior to the obstruction. In cases of intussusception, layered intestinal images may be seen.

[Treatment] When small intestinal obstruction is confirmed, surgery should be performed immediately. The earlier the surgery, the higher the cure rate. Before and after surgery, therapies such as energy supplementation, fluid supplementation, and adjustment of acid-base balance should be adopted, along with systemic application of antibiotics to control infection and other symptomatic treatments. After surgery, food should be withheld for 5-6 days, with intravenous fluids maintaining normal metabolism, then a liquid diet should be given until regular feeding is resumed. Postoperative care for the affected dog should be strengthened.