What is Obstruction in Dogs?
Obstruction in dogs is a disease that requires to be carefully monitored and treated in order to offer your furry buddy as many healthy years as possible.
A partial or complete blockage in the stomach or intestines that prevents solids or liquids from passing through the gastrointestinal tract is refered to as A bowel obstruction in dogs. This blockage in dogs can also reduce the blood flow and cause deterioration to portions of the bowels, along with the absorption of toxic contents.
Foreign objects such as carpet fibers or strings can also cause the intestines to bunch into each other like a telescope. These blockages in dogs may either be due secondary to ingesting foreign objects. In some cases, however, especially with older dogs, it may be a mass or tumor.
Here’s all you need to know about obstruction in dogs – how to prevent your pupfrom obstruction, the early signs or of obstruction that you should look for, and what to do if you notice symptoms of obstruction in dogs.
Symptoms of Obstruction in Dogs
Obstruction can cause visible changes in your dog’s health and behaviour. There are many early signs and symptoms of obstruction which you can observe in your pet. We have noted some of the common obstruction symptoms in dogs, below.
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Loss Of Appetite
- Dehydration
- Bloating
- Abdominal Pain
- Whining
Disclaimer: The information presented on this article is designed to help inform you of obstruction. It is not meant to replace the veterinary diagnosis or treatment for obstruction. If you have any questionsor concerns about your dog’s health or possible symptoms, make to get in touch with and consult with your vet right away.
The Main Causes of Obstruction in Dogs
To recognize and treat obstruction in dogs, you need to know the underlying causes of obstruction in dogs. This can help a pet parent prevent obstruction occurring in the first place or again.
Bowel obstructions in dogs are usually caused when a dog ingests foreign objects, such as bones, strings, toys and other materials. These foreign objects are generally unable to pass through the intestines and become lodged. They can also cause perforation of the stomach and intestines inside a dog's stomach.
Other medical conditions such as tumors or masses, hernias, intestinal parasites, twisting of the intestines around the membrane that separates them from the abdominal wall and narrowing of the passage from the stomach to the small intestine (pyloric stenosis), can also cause bowel obstruction in dogs.
Diagnosing Obstruction in Dogs
No one understands your pet dog better than you do and therefore it is critical that your pet be checked properly by a vet at least once a year.
Generally, the vet will conduct a physical exam of your dog and if required will perform either a radiograph or ultrasound to try to positively confirm the presence of a foreign object or mass.
Talk to your veterinarian to understand more about the treatments for obstruction in dogs.
Preventing Obstruction in Dogs
Avoiding obstruction in dogs is always more ideal than treating it, therefore let’s explore ways to prevent obstruction in dogs rather than treating it.
To not to seem weak or vulnerable to predators, the innate survival impulses make canines hide diseases. This suggests comprehensive physical exams by a certified veterinarian are crucial to keep your animals healthy. Generally, blood and urine tests performed by your veterinarian are needed to get the total understanding of your pet’s health. These preventive checks actions will detect any illness earlier making treatment more effective and less expensive and, more notably, will help your canine live a longer, much healthier life.
Discouraging and blocking your dog from trying to eat certain types of foriegn materials such as bones, strings, ropes and rocks will help to prevent bowel obstruction in dogs.
Keeping away foods which are considered toxic to dogs is another way to prevent bowel obstruction in dogs.
Always give your dog, toys and treats that are appropriate and safe for them to chew. Call your vet immediately if you suspect or know your dog ate something unusual.
Treatment for Obstruction in Dogs
An endoscopy may be required, if the object is the right size and may still be in the stomach. An endscopy involves inserting a thin tube with a camera down your pets throat, attached to a small clasping mechanism with the aim of of retrieving the foreign object in the stomach.
The vet treating your pet will give your dog fluids to correct dehydration and appropriate medications to lessen nausea and vomiting as well as pain. If the vet thinks the foriegn object has been lodged too long or the object does not pass into the dogs stool, your dog may need surgery under anesthesia. In these situations, vets have to open the abdomen or intestine and remove the cause of the blockage.
Talk to your vet to find out more about the treatments for obstruction in dogs.