Intestinal intussusception in dogs is a disorder that causes the intestines to twist and turn into one another. The condition is most commonly found in large and giant breeds of dogs, but can also be found occasionally in smaller breeds. intussusception in dogs can cause an obstruction, which could lead to severe health complications. If your dog is experiencing sudden vomiting or diarrhea, lack of appetite, and lethargy, it’s best to contact your veterinarian immediately for help. Intussusception in dogs can be a very serious condition, so it’s important to know the symptoms and how to treat them. This blog post will teach you all about intussusception in dogs!
What is an intestinal intussusception in dogs?
Intussusception is when one part of the intestine goes inside another part of the intestine. This can happen when the intestine gets a fold in it, and the fold pinches off a small piece of the intestine. This can block the intestine and cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The small intestine, large intestine, and multiple locations can all be involved. More than two-thirds of cases in dogs and cats are caused by intussusception in the small bowel (ileum portion) to the large bowel.
What are the causes of intestinal intussusception in dogs?
Intestinal intussusception in dogs is a type of bowel obstruction that primarily arises from underlying GI disease. An increase in motility can cause momentum to build up and thus, any condition associated with increased intestinal motility is a risk factor for developing an intussusception. Intestinal intussusception in dogs has been linked to various conditions like parasites, foreign objects, acute enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases - leptospirosis is one example. They may also be idiopathic which means the medical cause is unknown or unexplained. A majority of affected dogs are under a year of age, with 70% of cases occurring in young dogs.
What are the symptoms of intestinal intussusception in dogs?
Clinical signs may be acute or chronic and can vary in severity. The most common symptoms of intestinal intussusception in dogs are vomiting and diarrhea. Intestinal intussusception can also lead to an obstruction, which could cause further health complications. Other symptoms of intestinal intussusception in dogs may include:
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Abdominal Pain
- Straining to defecate (tenesmus)
- Weight loss
How is intestinal intussusception in dogs diagnosed?
Most cases of intestinal intussusception are diagnosed by imaging, such as X-rays or abdominal ultrasound. Other tests that may be used to help diagnose the condition include a barium series or endoscopy (a procedure in which a small camera is inserted into the intestine to directly view the intussusception). Most cases however are diagnosed with an abdominal ultrasound.
What is the treatment for intestinal intussusception in dogs?
Proper treatment for the underlying cause of the intussusception must be implemented. It is possible for intussusceptions to spontaneously reduce, but most require surgical reduction of the intussusception. An experienced veterinarian will repair the site of the intussusception and implement a unique surgical technique called enteroplication that is used to help prevent future recurrence. After surgery, highly digestible canned food should be fed for 5 days before transitioning back to a normal kibble diet.
What is the prognosis of intestinal intussusception in dogs?
Most dogs recover completely after surgical correction, and some intussusceptions spontaneously resolve. There is a 15% recurrence rate and without properly addressing the underlying cause of the intussusception, there is a greater risk of recurrence.
Intestinal intussusception in dogs is a disorder that causes the intestines to twist and turn into one another. The condition is most commonly found in large and giant breeds of dogs, but can also be found occasionally in smaller breeds and typically affects dogs less than 3 years of age. Intussusception can cause an obstruction, which could lead to severe health complications. If your dog is experiencing sudden vomiting or diarrhea, lack of appetite and lethargy, it’s best to contact your veterinarian immediately for help.