Foreign object in the intestine of the dog
A common cause of gastrointestinal tract damage is a foreign body. Swallowing often occurs by accident during active games and walks. These can be pieces of plastic, fragments of toys, items of clothing. While eating, animals swallow large bones and packaging. As a result, a blockage of the large or small intestine occurs, followed by indigestion.
Symptoms
Signs of a foreign body in the body:
- Systematic urge to vomit.
- Abdominal pain that worsens when touched.
- Difficulty defecating or bloody diarrhea.
- Decreased or no appetite.
- Decreased activity, apathy, lethargy.
Often, signs of a foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract depend on the localization of the object. Ingestion leads to blockage of the intestinal lumen. You can also determine this by changing the behavior of the pet. The dog becomes restless, it is tormented by the urge to vomit and profuse salivation. Everything is accompanied by severe pain in the affected area.
Diagnostics
There are no specific methods for accurate diagnosis. Depending on the situation, the doctor takes the following measures:
- Manual examination of the abdomen - when swallowing large objects, it helps to find the localization site. It is impossible to find textiles, cellophane and other soft things.
- Veterinary X-ray - the study allows you to detect metal, bones, large rubber products.
- Contrast X-ray - the use of a special substance helps to control the movement of a foreign object through the intestine.
- The veterinary clinic also carries out blood sampling at biochemical analysis . If the diagnosis is difficult, the doctor uses the method of diagnostic laparotomy.
Helping
The presence of a foreign body in the intestine is a dangerous condition. An urgent visit to the vet is required. The swallowed thing compresses the arteries and injures the walls of the digestive tract. In severe cases, the pet develops peritonitis. In no case should you give laxatives or give an enema. This can rupture the intestinal walls.
If the dog has recently swallowed an object, the doctor will try to induce vomiting. Large and sharp objects are removed only by surgery. During the operation, the veterinarian also excises areas of tissue necrosis. From medicines, antibiotics and gastroprotectors are prescribed. Additionally, you may need a saline drip to prevent dehydration.
All animals undergo preoperative diagnostics. After the operation, the dog remains in the clinic for some time for recovery and further rehabilitation under the supervision of specialists.