It is quite common for our dogs and cats, especially those that are still small, to have a tendency and preference for put all kinds of small objects in the mouth that are found at home or anywhere on the street. Often, they can swallow balls, bones, needles, socks, even plastic toys that can become lodged in their trachea or digestive system. It's understandable that if we don't notice the pet swallowing it, it will be very difficult to imagine what's in our friend's stomach, so it's important to know the symptoms that occur in the body of the animal when it has swallowed a foreign object and how this can lead to an intestinal obstruction.
When a dog ingests something, there are usually between 10 and 24 hours until the contents begin to move throughout the digestive tract. Many small, soft objects can pass through the system without much trouble, but others get stuck and cause a partial or complete obstruction of the intestine (ileus), a veterinary emergency that can cause intestinal necrosis, perforation, peritonitis and, if not treated promptly, multiple organ failure and death.
Besides foreign bodies, there are other causes that can contribute to an obstruction, such as fecalomas (accumulation of very hard stools), intussusceptions or intestinal torsion, and certain tumors. In all cases, the mechanism is similar: the intestinal contents stop moving, gas and fluids accumulate ahead of the blockage, blood flow to the intestinal wall is disrupted, and toxins appear in the bloodstream.
Symptoms that my dog ​​has swallowed something or has an obstruction
One of the most frequent and easiest ways to observe if our dog has swallowed something It's important to be attentive to the appearance of digestive signs and general changes in their behavior. The most noticeable symptom is usually... production of constant vomiting after having fed him, but that is not the only fact to consider.
There are several indications that may point to a intestinal obstruction by foreign body, although they do not all have to appear in the same animal:
- The dog is débilbut at the same time he may appear restless or uncomfortable.
- Excessive salivaThe patient retches or vomits repeatedly; sometimes the vomit may contain bile or even some blood.
- Does not want to eat (anorexia) or eats very little and immediately vomits again.
- He doesn't have a bowel movementThe patient passes very little stool or eliminates very dry and hard stools; in partial obstructions, diarrhea with straining may occur.
- Presents dolor abdominal: adopts the prayer position (front legs supported, back legs stretched out), moans or complains when her belly is touched.
- Has the tense or distended abdominal wall, as if the abdomen were bloated with gas.
- Sample behavioral changessuch as aggression or growling, when you try to pick him up or touch his abdominal area.
- You can present fever, tachycardia and rapid breathing in advanced stages, signs compatible with severe inflammation, peritonitis or shock.
One of the clearest ways to suspect that the problem is an internal blockage is that, in addition to vomiting, the following occurs excessive salivation and gaggingThe food usually appears undigested. In more advanced cases of intestinal obstruction, the vomit may acquire a very strong and unpleasant odor (fecal-like vomit), highly indicative that the contents of the intestine are not moving.
If vomiting is prolonged and constant, it can lead to severe dehydration In the animal, no matter how much food or liquid our dog ingests, it will either never reach its stomach or will not be properly absorbed. We will see dry or pale oral mucosa, loss of skin elasticity, sunken eyes, and progressive decline.
On the other hand, if the object that was ingested and is blocking the trachea or stomach produces a gastric or intestinal perforationOur animal could suffer hypovolemic shock and multiple organ failure. Cold extremities (ears, paws), tremors, very pale gums, and loss of consciousness indicate a critical emergency situation where every minute counts.
Where the object can get stuck and how the symptoms change
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the obstruction in the digestive system:
- Esophageal blockageThe dog frequently licks its lips, swallows repeatedly, regurgitates right after eating, and may experience pain when swallowing. It often becomes dehydrated quickly because it cannot eat or drink properly.
- Stomach blockageThe pylorus often becomes obstructed, preventing food from passing into the small intestine. Vomiting usually occurs. a few hours after eatingTypical examples are large and relatively soft objects, such as compact balls, rubber toys, golf balls, marbles, or certain bones.
- Blockage in small intestineThis means the object passed through the pylorus but became trapped in the curves of the small intestine. Gas and fluids accumulate, the intestine becomes distended, and blood flow is compromised. In this case, dogs begin to exhibit severe vomiting after eating or drinking, abdominal pain, distension, fever, signs of shock, and even death if no action is taken.
If the obstruction is located towards the end of the small intestine or in the colon, it is more likely to appear Diarrhea and intense straining to defecate, although vomiting can also occur several hours after eating. In partial obstructions, some symptoms may be intermittent and not as noticeable from the start, which leads the caregiver to underestimate the problem.
In addition to solid foreign bodies, there are linear bodies (threads, cords, strings, tapes) that behave differently: the intestine tries to advance over the string, folds like an accordion, and the tension of the thread itself can cut the intestinal wall, producing multiple perforations and severe peritonitis.
Veterinary diagnosis of foreign body obstruction
This is why we recommend that, given the suspicion that our animal ingested a foreign object If your pet shows several of the symptoms mentioned, you should take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. There, the veterinarian will begin with a complete physical examination, paying special attention to the abdominal palpation to detect pain, highly distended areas, or suspicious masses.
Depending on the dog's situation, the following will be taken vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, mucous membrane status) to assess whether there is a risk of shock and decide whether it is necessary to stabilize the patient immediately with fluid therapy and emergency medication before continuing with the diagnosis.
Imaging tests are essential to confirm the obstruction and locate it precisely:
- plain radiography: allows observation of dilated intestinal loops, presence of accumulated gas and some radiopaque foreign bodies (stones, metals, certain pieces of bone).
- X-ray with contrastA contrast medium is administered that highlights the contents of the digestive system and helps to visualize unclear blockages; today it is reserved more for specific cases.
- Abdominal ultrasound: very useful for identifying foreign bodies not visible on X-rays (fabrics, plastics, wood) and assessing intestinal motility, presence of free fluid or signs of perforation.
- digestive endoscopyA flexible tube with a camera is used to explore the esophagus and stomach, allowing both confirmation of the diagnosis and extract certain objects without the need for open surgery, if they have not yet passed into the small intestine.
In addition, they can be performed blood and urine tests to assess the degree of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, the possible presence of systemic infection (sepsis) and to rule out other diseases that present with similar digestive symptoms.
Treatment: from laxatives to emergency surgery
The treatment of intestinal obstruction in dogs depends on the cause, location and severity of the picture. In mild and well-controlled situations, the veterinarian may consider the use of specific laxatives or enemas to aid transit, provided there is no risk of perforation and the object or fecaloma is located in an accessible section of the large intestine.
In other cases, especially when the object is still in the stomach or duodenum and there are no signs of perforation, its removal may be attempted. endoscopic extractionThis technique, in addition to confirming that the foreign body is present, often allows its removal without the need to open the abdomen, reducing recovery time.
When the blockage is complete, the object has already passed into the small intestine, or necrosis is suspected, the safest option is abdominal surgeryThe veterinarian may perform an enterotomy (opening of the intestine to remove the object) or, if there are dead intestinal segments, it will be necessary to resect that part and join the healthy ends again.
Throughout the entire process, the following are essential: support measuresIntravenous fluid therapy to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, antiemetics to control nausea, potent analgesics (usually opioids) for pain, and, when perforation or peritonitis is suspected, broad-spectrum antibiotics. After the procedure, a highly digestible, soft diet will be prescribed for the first few days, with a gradual reintroduction of the usual food as directed by the veterinarian.
In some very early and well-assessed cases, the professional may choose to prescribe some type of laxative A higher-fiber diet can be used to facilitate bowel movements and prevent intestinal blockages, always under close supervision. Laxatives, oils, or home remedies should never be self-administered, as they could worsen a silent perforation or intestinal torsion.
What to do at home, prognosis and prevention of new episodes
If you ever notice your dog swallowing a potentially dangerous object, the wisest course of action is go to the vet immediately to try to remove it before it passes through the small intestine. Inducing vomiting at home without professional supervision is not recommended, because some items (batteries, sharp objects, corrosive substances) can cause further damage when they pass back through the esophagus.
The prognosis for digestive tract obstruction It varies depending on the speed The diagnosis and treatment will depend on the presence or absence of perforations, the extent of intestinal necrosis, and the animal's overall condition. Most dogs recover well when treated promptly, but after surgery, they should be monitored for any signs of intestinal leakage, fever, or severe abdominal pain, which should be reported to the veterinarian immediately.
To minimize the chances of this problem recurring, it is essential prevent the ingestion of foreign bodies Supervise the dog whenever it plays with objects it can break or swallow, do not offer it cooked bones that splinter easily, and make sure that its toys are clearly larger than the diameter of its throat and are durable.
Some everyday items are especially dangerous: coins (due to the risk of zinc toxicity), string and thread (linear foreign bodies), alkaline batteries, cat litter, tampons, and certain types of bones and plastics. Keeping these out of reach and offering safe chew toys is one of the best investments you can make in your cat's digestive health.
Any dog, from a curious puppy to a calm adult, can swallow something it shouldn't, so knowing the symptoms of a possible bowel obstruction And acting quickly makes the difference between a simple observation and emergency surgery with serious complications.