Overview

A gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction occurs when a dog swallows a non-digestible object, known as a foreign body, that is too large to move from the stomach or the small intestine and becomes lodged. These obstructions prevent the normal passage of food and waste through the GI tract, leading to serious complications. GI obstructions are emergencies often requiring surgical removal, and prompt veterinary intervention is critical to achieving the best outcome for your dog.

Cause

An obstruction occurs when your dog swallows a foreign body completely or partially, blocking the GI tract. Common foreign bodies include toys, socks or pieces of clothing, rocks, corn cobs and bones. Foreign bodies like string or ribbon (linear foreign bodies) can cause more severe damage by creatine holes or intestinal perforations. This leads to leakage of intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity, causing inflammation (peritonitis) and potentially life-threatening infections (sepsis).

Clinical signs

Clinical signs of a foreign body obstruction can vary based on the severity of the blockage, its location in the GI tract and how long the object has been present. Dogs with a foreign body obstruction may become very ill due to dehydration or, in severe cases, peritonitis or sepsis—both of which can be life-threatening. Common signs of a GI obstruction include:

• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain 
• Diarrhea 
• Dehydration 
• Lethargy

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will diagnose a GI foreign body obstruction by considering your dog's history, clinical signs, physical exam and abdominal imaging. Common imaging methods include abdominal X-rays (radiographs) or ultrasound to identify the obstruction. Blood work is often recommended to check for dehydration, electrolyte (salts) imbalances, and signs of infection and to rule out other conditions.

In some cases, abdominal imaging may not provide definitive results, but if suspicion of a foreign body obstruction remains high based on the clinical signs and history, surgery (exploratory laparotomy) may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Most GI foreign body obstructions require surgery. The type of surgery depends on the location of the object and the extent of damage to the tissues. Common procedures include gastrotomy (opening the stomach) or enterotomy (opening the intestine). If there is significant damage, such as necrosis or perforation, the damaged portion of the intestine may need to be removed, and the healthy ends reconnected through a procedure called resection and anastomosis.

For smaller objects that are not causing a full obstruction, your veterinarian may opt for conservative treatment, such as hospitalization with fluids and monitoring. If the object does not pass, surgery will be required. If the object is in the stomach, endoscopy may sometimes be used to retrieve it, but if this is unsuccessful, surgical removal will be necessary. Endoscopy uses a long, flexible tube-shaped camera and a snare wire inserted into the mouth when a dog is anesthetized and controlled with a remote-control handle outside the patient. 

Additional treatments include intravenous (IV) fluids, anti-nausea medications, pain relief medications and antibiotics during the procedure.

Monitoring

After surgery, dogs require careful monitoring for changes in appetite, vomiting, pain and lethargy. They should be fed small, frequent, low-fat, highly digestible meals for several days. Some dogs may need a temporary feeding tube until they are ready to eat on their own.

Dogs are most at risk for dehiscence (failure of the suture material in the intestines) within the first 3–5 days after surgery and require close monitoring. If dehiscence occurs, intestinal contents can leak into the abdomen, requiring a second surgery, which can be life-threatening.

Outcome

The prognosis of a GI foreign body obstruction depends on the severity of the obstruction, its location in the GI tract, the type of foreign body and how long the obstruction has been present. The best outcomes occur when the obstruction is diagnosed and removed promptly. 

Linear foreign bodies, such as string, carry a higher risk, and surgeries requiring resection and anastomosis are associated with a greater chance of dehiscence. The presence of peritonitis or sepsis worsens the prognosis.

Prevention

• Keep small, chewable objects out of your dog's reach.
• Avoid giving your dog items that can be easily swallowed, such as small bones or small toys.
• Supervise your dog during playtime to prevent ingestion of inappropriate items.
• Train your dog to avoid scavenging or eating things they shouldn't.
• Consider basket muzzle training as a preventive measure against object ingestion if your dog resists other methods or has to be operated for foreign body removal more than once.

Updated Dec. 2024