Intestinal Blockage in Dogs: Signs & Treatment Cost

a.k.a. GI Blockage, GI Foreign Body

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Updated on September 26, 2024
SUMMARY OF CONTENT
An object causing blockage to normal passage through and function of the intestines
SEVERITY:

  • Diagnosis Icon
    Requires a diagnosis by a veterinarian
  • Time to Cure
    Resolves within hours to days with appropriate medical treatment
  • Treatment Icon
    Treatable by a veterinarian
  • Prevention Icon
    Avoid objects that can be fragmented and swallowed
  • Spread Icon
    Not contagious to other pets or people
  • Lab Icon
    Physical exam, X-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, and lab tests

VERY COMMON IN
Dogs under age 5

Symptoms & Signs

The signs of a full or partial intestinal obstruction are fairly non-specific. The condition can resemble many other problems, and for this reason the onset of vomiting, reduced or absent appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, and diarrhea must be investigated by your veterinarian and differentiated from other diseases. The symptoms of intestinal blockage in pets usually include vomiting, however in some individuals the early signs of this problem may be limited to loss of appetite. As time passes, lethargy, vomiting, and occasionally diarrhea may occur. With prolonged obstruction of more than 2 days, most pets become exceptionally lethargic, and in some cases intestinal rupture may occur, resulting in exceptional abdominal pain and risk of death due to septicemia.

Diagnosis

While a veterinarian may suspect an intestinal blockage based on the history provided by the owner, other information, including physical exam findings, x-rays, and ultrasound results must be correlated and evaluated together in order to make the diagnosis of a suspected intestinal blockage. X-rays of the abdomen often show a dilated segment of bowel, suggesting blockage. Veterinarians are trained to recognize this dilation, and this is critical, since many objects - soft fabric or rubber toys, tumors, thin plastic - may not be discernable from normal anatomy on x-rays. Blood work and urinalysis results are usually non-specific and typically show only dehydration secondary to lack or drinking or fluid loss through vomiting and/or diarrhea in cases of a foreign body obstruction. Examination of the abdomen with ultrasound may provide more information, but many times the diagnosis is elusive. Sometimes the veterinarian must act and provide appropriate treatment based on suspicion, or the patient will rapidly deteriorate.

Causation

Intestinal blockages in pets are often caused by ingestion of objects, such as toys, bones, and rocks. Intestinal growths (tumors), hernias, bloat, and some infections can also partially or fully obstruct the normal transit of food through the intestines.

Treatments

icon AT-HOME CARE
Ultimate resolution of intestinal blockage should never be provided in a home environment, without the help of a veterinarian. It can become dangerous to use medications that mask the symptoms associated with intestinal blockage, such as anti-vomiting drugs, since these will control symptoms yet prolong diagnosis. Prompt veterinarian care as soon as symptoms are noticed is crucial in reducing the risk of complications.
icon SUPPORTIVE CARE
Oftentimes intestinal blockages result in repeated episodes of vomiting, and profound nausea. It is critical to control these episodes, since they not only make the pet feel bad but also result in fluid loss so profound as to cause important electrolytes like sodium and potassium to become unbalanced. Your veterinarian may recommend intravenous fluids for your dog to aid in hydration.
icon MEDICATIONS
Some objects may temporarily and/or partially block the intestines, yet eventually move through. In some cases, hospitalization with intravenous fluids can improve peristalsis and by doing so, may the object to move out of the small intestines and into the colon. Once there, uneventful passage out of the body is a possibility, but this should be confirmed by your veterinarian with follow-up x-rays for comparison to original x-rays. Medications that are designed to improve GI motility should never be used in cases of confirmed or suspected intestinal blockage unless prescribed by the veterinarian who is treating your dog, because they can significantly worsen the situation. While many medications are often administered for ‘off-label’ or 'extra-label' use in veterinary medicine, it is important to know that off- or extra- label use of a medication can only be done by a veterinarian when there are no other more appropriate medications for a particular pet's circumstances. Your veterinarian must also know all vitamins, supplements, medications etc. your pet is taking to help avoid complications. You must also be sure to follow all instructions provided by your vet carefully and consult your veterinarian with any questions or concerns if they arise.
icon MEDICAL PROCEDURES
Many veterinarians and veterinary specialists are trained in the use of a tool called an endoscope. Endoscopes combine a very small camera with a very bright light source on the end of a flexible tube. The tube is inserted into the esophagus of an anesthetized patient, and can be advanced through the stomach and into the proximal part of the small intestine to visualize foreign objects or other abnormalities causing blockages. Grabbing tools can be advanced through the tube and in the case of small objects, possibly used to retrieve the objects. Most endoscopes are not long enough to extend past the initial part of the small intestine, so objects that are farther along cannot typically be retrieved.
icon DEVICES
Endoscope
icon SURGERY
Most intestinal obstructions need to be removed surgically. If the obstruction has only been present for a short period of time, a simple enterotomy (surgical incision into the intestine) may be used to remove it. The longer an obstruction is present, the more likely that the intestinal blood supply is compromised and the intestines immediately above and below the obstruction are devitalized. In these cases a procedure called a resection and anastomosis must be performed, the entire section of devitalized bowel removed, and the ends rejoined. This is true as well with tumors that are growing from the walls of the intestines and obstructing the inside. There are potential complications associated with both procedures, however resection and anastomoses have a higher percentage of them as this is a more invasive procedure and there are elevated risks when compromised tissue is involved.
icon SPECIALISTS
Most veterinarians are comfortable performing surgery to remove intestinal foreign bodies. If the blockage has been present for several days, or if a tumor is suspected, removal may prove to be more complicated, and the patient may benefit from the care of a veterinary surgeon or veterinary oncologist.

Cost Of Treatment

Cost associated with veterinary treatment can vary substantially for a variety of reasons, however, the average cost to treat intestinal obstruction is around $3,000, with prices typically ranging between $800 and $7,000.

Recovery

Hospitalization for 2- 4 days after surgery is routine. Exact time to recover from surgery depends on several factors, including the condition of the patient prior to surgery and how removal was accomplished. Patients that undergo endoscopy for foreign body removal typically recover quickly. Surgical patients may need several days of careful feeding in order not to stress recovering intestinal surgical sites. Vomiting and gastric acid production should be controlled during recovery with appropriate medications as recommended by your veterinarian. If surgery was needed, exercise restriction and a surgical cone will likely be recommended until sutures are removed to prevent your dog from further stressing the surgical site.

Monitoring

The patient should be rechecked at 10 – 14 days past treatment as recommended by your veterinarian, or sooner if any additional concerns are noticed. In the cases of surgical resolution, stitches may be removed or dissolvable. If the blockage was due to a tumor, follow-on treatment will likely be necessary to address any metastatic disease.

Prevention

In order to reduce the risk of intestinal blockage, keep your dog or cat from chewing on objects that can become fragmented and swallowed, such as tennis balls, bones, plastic toys, or stuffed toys with squeaking devices inside. Dogs should always be monitored with chews and toys, and any bedding, chews or toys that start to show signs of wear should be discarded. Strings are especially attractive to cats, and items like dental floss, sewing thread, and ribbon should be kept in secured locations and effectively disposed of. Young pets should be taught to play with appropriate toys and should never be encouraged to chew on less appropriate items.

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.