Gastrointestinal Obstructions

What is a gastrointestinal obstruction?

This refers to the complete or partial obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, at any point between the oesophagus to the large bowel. They are commonly seen within the small intestine, as this is the narrowest area of the gastrointestinal tract. They generally occur when a dog of any age. ingests a foreign object, though it can be a sign of cancer in older dogs. It is most commonly seen in dogs aged between one to three years old.

Diagnosis methods

It is actually incredibly simple to prove that there is an obstruction, as it will often show up on an x-ray – especially when it is a bone, rock or metallic object. Other items, such as seeds, rubber or pieces of toys are more difficult to see on a plain x-ray. In these cases, we use a contrast such as barium to help prove that there is an obstruction.

Treatment options

Surgery is generally the only way to remove an obstruction. It normally involves making an incision into the stomach or small intestines, before removing the foreign object and closing the surgery site. If the obstruction has been present for some time, severe bowel trauma or bowel death may have occurred. In these instances, we remove a section of the bowel and re-join the healthy areas. A slightly longer stay in hospital will also be required.