Dog Intestinal Blockage in 2025: Vet-Backed Guide  🐾🚨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

📌 What Is an Intestinal Blockage?

An intestinal blockage happens when a foreign object, mass, or twist blocks food and waste moving through your dog’s intestines. This can be partial or complete—and often becomes life-threatening if untreated.

👀 Common Causes

• Foreign objects: socks, toys, bones, coins, string
• Intussusception: intestines telescoping into themselves
• Torsion or twisting of intestines
• Intestinal tumors, strictures, adhesions
• Parasitic masses causing blockage

🩺 Recognize the Signs

Key symptoms include:

• Frequent vomiting (often bile)
• Loss of appetite, refusal to eat
• Abdominal pain, distension, straining to defecate
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Lethargy, dehydration—signs of systemic impact

🔍 How Vets Diagnose Blockage

• Physical exam and abdominal palpation
• X‑rays and sometimes contrast studies
• Ultrasound to spot masses or intussusception
• GI endoscopy to visualize or retrieve objects
• Bloodwork to assess overall health
• Exploratory surgery when non‑invasive methods aren’t conclusive

🛠️ Treatment Options

• Supportive care—IV fluids, anti‑nausea meds while monitoring mild cases
• Endoscopic removal for upper GI foreign bodies
• Exploratory abdominal surgery to remove or repair obstructions
• Enterotomy (incision) or resection with anastomosis for damaged or twisted intestines

🏥 Surgery: What to Expect

Surgery involves general anesthesia, IV fluids, and a midline abdominal incision to locate and remove blockages. If intussusception is present or tissue necrosis has occurred, part of the intestine may be removed and repaired.

Success is high for simple foreign body cases (~94%), although complications such as leakage or infection can occur after multiple resections.

🔄 Recovery & Home Care

• Hospital monitoring 1–3 days post-op with fluids and pain control
• Transition to bland diet (plain rice + chicken) for ~1–2 weeks
• Restrict activity—no jumping or running
• Protect incision with e‑collar or recovery suit
• Report vomiting, lethargy, or appetite loss immediately

⚠️ Complications & Prognosis

Left untreated, blockages can cause intestinal death, perforation, sepsis, and death. Early surgery yields an 83–99% survival rate.

Multiple resections or foreign bodies like string increase risk. Long-term prognosis is excellent with timely care.

🛡️ Prevention Tips

• Keep small items—socks, toys, garbage—out of reach
• Select size‑appropriate, durable toys
• Supervise chewing and playtime
• Maintain parasite control
• Regular vet checkups to catch subtle issues early

📞 When to Call Your Vet NOW

• Vomiting repeatedly or bile-like vomit
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Straining to poop or abdominal pain
• Severe lethargy, weakness, or dehydration

Action within 24 hours can mean the difference between recovery and critical illness.

📝 Final Thoughts

Intestinal blockage is a serious emergency—but with early recognition and prompt treatment, most dogs recover fully. Need fast advice? Connect with a vet via the Ask A Vet app 📲.