Intussusception Intestinal Obstruction
Intussusception is a life-threatening condition involving an abnormal invagination ("telescoping") of a portion of a dog's or cat's small or large intestine into a dilated portion of bowel situated just ahead of it, causing obstruction to normal flow within the intestine. In especially severe instances, the blood supply to the portion of the intestine involved will be cut off, resulting in the death of that tissue and serious health problems. The site at which an intussusception ismost likely to occur in dogs is where the small intestine links up with the large intestine. The condition is more common in dogs than in cats.
Intussusception is a common condition in young dogs (less than 8 months old). Predisposing factors for developing this condition include acute enteritis or gastroenteritis (inflammation within the gut and/or stomach), due to canine parvovirus or other infectious agents, intestinal surgery, inflammation or metabolic derangements, parasites, tumor or swallowed foregn objects.
SIGNS
The most common signs of intussusception are vomiting and regurgitation of ingested food; fever, lethargy, and abdominal pain; sometimes bloody diarrhea and scanty stools. Gastroesophageal intussusception is rare in dogs and most often occurs in German Shepherd dogs, and most dogs with gastroesophageal intussuception have severe clinical abnormalities, including collapse, respiratory difficulties, and shock.
TREATMENT
If intussusception is diagnosed, immediated surgery is necessary to correct the invagination and to remove any dead portions of the bowel that may be present. The prognosis is usually guarded to poor prognosis for gastroesophageal intussusception, because of complications. Deworming and other treatment of any underlying disease may prevent recurrence.
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
Adapted from:
1. Chris C. Pinney. The Complete Home Veterinary Guide
2. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2000 Oct;47(8):507-11. Acute enteritis or gastroenteritis in young dogs as a predisposing factor for intestinal intussusception: a retrospective study.Rallis TS, Papazoglou LG, Adamama-Moraitou KK, Prassinos NN.
3. Douglass K. Manual of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
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