Symptoms & Treatment of Canine Intestinal Obstruction:

Let's take the case of a 3yearold French Bulldog as an example. This unneutered male dog arrived at the hospital with a threeday history of bloody diarrhea. He also exhibited a decline in body temperature and a complete loss of appetite. His stools were a bloody, watery consistency with a strong, unpleasant odor. Tests for CPV, CCV, and CDV were negative. Microscopic examination of his feces revealed a high number of red blood cells, along with a small amount of E. coli and coccidia eggs.

Due to the inability to pass stool normally, an Xray revealed a sharp, 36.7mmlong duck bone lodged in the rectum, along with 34 round, bone fragments mixed with feces. At this point, the only viable option was to perform surgery to remove the foreign objects from the intestines.

Postoperative Prognosis:

After five days of intravenous treatment, the dog's appetite began to improve, and his body temperature gradually returned to normal. Regular blood tests showed a decrease in white blood cell count to within the normal range. He was able to move around normally without any abdominal pain. Once his stools formed properly, he was ready for discharge. Upon returning home, he was advised to continue eating a liquid or prescription diet for a month. In some cases of intestinal obstruction, dogs and cats can pass the obstruction naturally. However, if the object is indigestible or sharp, it may not pass through the body. In such cases, we would resort to surgical intervention or use an endoscope to remove the object from the stomach. Pet owners must be particularly vigilant during the care process. If a pet accidentally ingests a foreign object, or if symptoms like bloody diarrhea or vomiting occur, it is crucial to seek veterinary care promptly to minimize risks.