What is Bowel Obstruction in Dogs?
Bowel Obstruction in pets is an illness that needs to be carefully monitored and treated in order to provide your furry pal as many healthful years as possible.
A bowel obstruction, sometimes referred to as gastrointestinal blockage, is a freuqent dog illness.
It is a total or partial blockage in a dog's intestines or stomach. Bowel obstructions will make it difficult for your dogs' solids or liquids to pass through the gastrointestinal tract.
Here’s all you have to know about bowel obstruction in dogs – how to prevent your caninefrom bowel obstruction, the early signs or of bowel obstruction that you should look for, and what to do if you find symptoms of bowel obstruction in dogs.
Symptoms of Bowel Obstruction in Dogs
Bowel Obstruction can cause obvious changes in your dog’s wellbeing and behaviour. There are many early signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction which you can see in your pet. We have listed some of the common bowel obstruction symptoms in dogs, below.
- Vomiting
- Loss of Appetite
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
Please Note: The information presented on this article is designed to help inform you regarding bowel obstruction. It is not meant to replace the veterinary diagnosis or treatment for bowel obstruction. If you have any questionsor concerns about your pet dog’s health or possible symptoms, be sure to contact and consult with your vet right away.
The Main Causes of Bowel Obstruction in Dogs
To recognize and treat bowel obstruction in dogs, we need to understand the underlying causes of bowel obstruction in dogs. This can help a pet owner prevent bowel obstruction happening in the first place or again.
Dogs are very curious in nature where they often like to chew and eat foreign objects like rocks, bones, sticks, toys and more. Ingesting these foreign objects is the most common cause for bowel obstruction in dogs. When swallowed, these objects cannot pass through the intestines and can become lodged in the stomach.
Diagnosing Bowel Obstruction in Dogs
Nobody knows your pup better than you do and therefore it is critical that your pet be examined thoroughly by a veterinarian at least once a year.
If your dog has any of the signs of bowel obstruction you must take them to your vet as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will most likely perform a phsyical examination and perform other tests like ultrasounds or radiographs to identify if there are any foreign objects lodged within your dog's stomach.
For pets at risk of getting bowel obstruction, more frequent visits to the vet clinic recommended.
Preventing Bowel Obstruction in Dogs
It is horrible when your pet gets sick, and watching it hurt can be absolutely upsetting. With caution and a bit of extra care, a pet owner can ensure that dog stays protected from illnesses such as bowel obstruction.
To not to look weak or susceptible to predators, the natural survival instincts make canines hide illnesses. This indicates thorough physical examinations by a certified veterinarian are vital to keep your animals healthy. Usually, blood and urine tests carried out by your vet are needed to get the total understanding of your family pet’s health. These preventive checks actions will identify any health problems sooner making treatment more successful and less expensive and, more importantly, will help your dog live a longer, much healthier life.
The most effective way to prevent bowel obstructions in dogs is to deter your dog from ingesting foreign objects like sticks, rocks, toys, bones and more. Teaching your dog the 'Leave it' or 'Drop it' command can help discourage them from swallowing unsafe objects. Additionally, you should try to keep foreign objects, toxic foods, and other temptations like garbage bins, out of reach.
Treatment for Bowel Obstruction in Dogs
Depending on the size of the foreign object, an endoscopy may be performed to try and retrieve it.
Your vet will also provide your canine fluids to correct dehydration along with medications to reduce nausea, vomiting and pain. If the lodged object doesn't come out in your dogs stool, or if it has been lodged for a long period of time, your dog may require surgery under anesthesia.
Chat to your vet to learn more about the treatments for bowel obstruction in dogs.