Understanding Canine Intestinal Intussusception: Causes

Many issues can lead to intussusception, and a variety of other diseases and disorders share similar symptoms.

Causes of intussusception in dogs include:

1. Viral enteritis, particularly parvovirus, which is a highly contagious virus that often affects dogs.

2. Bacterial enteritis, a type of intestinal inflammation or infection that includes Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and others.

3. Intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.

4. Ingestion of foreign objects.

5. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), a canine disease syndrome characterized by acute, sudden bleeding diarrhea.

6. Mesenteric torsion or volvulus, which causes the intestines to float within the abdominal tissues.

7. Gastrointestinal tumors.

8. Adrenal cortical insufficiency (Addison's disease), an endocrine disorder caused by a deficiency of adrenal hormones.

9. Pancreatitis.

Diagnosing Intussusception in Dogs:

Veterinarians perform certain diagnostic tests to diagnose intussusception in dogs and rule out other diseases that may cause similar symptoms. A full clinical history and a thorough physical examination are crucial components of obtaining a diagnosis.

In addition, the following tests are recommended to confirm the diagnosis:

1. Complete blood count. In cases of viral infection, it may show low white blood cell counts, or high counts in cases related to bacterial or inflammatory processes. If there is related bleeding into the intestines, the red blood cell count may be low. In severe dehydration, the red blood cell count may be high.

2. Biochemical profiles may show electrolyte abnormalities (changes in sodium, potassium, and chloride) and abnormalities related to concurrent disease processes.

3. Urinalysis helps assess kidney function and whether the dog is dehydrated.

4. Fecal examinations can detect certain intestinal parasites that may cause or be associated with intussusception.

5. Abdominal Xrays can show typical intestinal tubular masses and bowel loops. Additionally, abdominal Xrays can help rule out other diseases that may cause similar clinical symptoms, such as tumors or foreign bodies.

6. To rule out metastatic (cancer spread) diseases, chest Xrays can be performed, especially in older dogs where cancer may be a factor. Chest Xrays can also be performed before anesthesia and surgery.

7. Abdominal ultrasound helps evaluate many abdominal organs, including the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, and spleen. It is equally important to rule out other diseases, as these may initially be difficult to distinguish from intussusception. In many cases, it helps identify a cylindrical or sausageshaped intestinal mass, which is very typical of intussusception. Abdominal ultrasound is a noninvasive examination using specialized equipment. It may require your dog to be referred to a veterinary internist or radiologist.

Your veterinarian may recommend additional tests to rule out or diagnose concurrent conditions. These tests are not necessary in every case and may be beneficial for some dogs, chosen based on the specific situation.

These include:

1. Consider performing an Elisa test for parvovirus in dogs suspected of having the virus.

2. ACTH stimulation tests are performed in individuals suspected of having adrenal cortical insufficiency.

3. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) barium series can be considered in dogs experiencing vomiting due to any underlying cause. It can help diagnose Xrayundetected foreign bodies or tumors and confirm the diagnosis of gastrointestinal ulcers, or directly outline the contours of intussusception.

In this test, a safe dye is introduced into the body through the mouth and observed as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract. This is a noninvasive test that can usually be performed by your regular veterinarian, although in some cases, it may require referral to a specialty hospital.

4. In some cases of intussusception, an abdominal exploratory surgery may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.