Can dogs with intestinal obstruction heal on their own

When we notice abnormalities in dogs, such as frequent vomiting, abdominal distension, mental lethargy, or even cessation of bowel movements and exhaust, our anxiety surges like a tide. After examination, if it is found that the dog has intestinal obstruction, this concern will be magnified infinitely. At this moment, a heart wrenching question lingers in our minds: Can dogs with intestinal obstruction heal on their own?

Intestinal obstruction is a rather tricky digestive system disease for dogs, which means that the intestines are partially or completely blocked, and food and fluids cannot pass smoothly. The intestine, which is crucial for digestion and absorption in dogs, once obstructed, it is like a blocked transportation artery, causing the entire "transportation system" to fall into chaos.

From a medical perspective, the possibility of self-healing for intestinal obstruction in dogs is extremely low. There are various reasons for intestinal obstruction, each of which poses a huge challenge to dogs' intestines. Some dogs accidentally ingest toys, paper, plastic and other foreign objects due to their mischievousness. These indigestible things "camp" in the intestines, blocking the normal movement of food. Some dogs also have various dietary problems, such as eating too quickly, hastily swallowing food before it can be fully chewed, accumulating in the intestines, increasing intestinal pressure, and causing obstruction; Excessive intake of indigestible foods such as bones and hair can also lead to intestinal blockage. In addition, intestinal diseases such as enteritis and intestinal tumors can also lead to the occurrence of intestinal obstruction. When inflammation occurs in the intestine, the intestinal wall swells and the lumen narrows; And intestinal tumors may directly occupy the intestinal space, hindering the passage of food.

Faced with intestinal obstruction, dogs will experience a series of obvious symptoms in their bodies. It may experience loss of appetite and disinterest in its favorite foods due to intestinal obstruction, which prevents normal digestion and absorption of food, and the body instinctively reduces its intake. Vomiting is also a common symptom, and as the obstruction worsens, vomiting becomes more frequent. At the beginning, it may only be vomiting undigested food, and later bile may appear in the vomit, appearing yellow green in color, indicating that obstruction has affected the excretion of bile. Dogs may also show abdominal pain, curled up in corners, trembling slightly, with painful expressions in their eyes and occasional low whimpering sounds that make people feel heartbroken. Abdominal distension is also a prominent feature of intestinal obstruction. Due to the inability to expel gases and fluids from the intestines, the abdomen gradually swells and feels hard to the touch. At the same time, reduced or stopped bowel movements are also important signs of intestinal obstruction. Normally, dogs have regular bowel movements every day, but once they suffer from intestinal obstruction, the intestines are blocked and feces cannot be excreted from the body.

Once there was a pet owner who noticed his dog suddenly vomiting and not eating. At first, he thought it was just a common gastrointestinal discomfort and didn't pay much attention. However, after two days, the dog's symptoms not only did not improve, but also became more severe, and the abdomen began to swell. The owner panicked and quickly took the dog to the hospital for examination, only to be diagnosed with intestinal obstruction. The doctor told the owner that the dog's intestinal obstruction was serious and needed surgery as soon as possible, otherwise it would be life-threatening. Fortunately, after surgery, the dog successfully removed the foreign object from its intestines and gradually recovered its health under the careful care of its owner.

Timely and effective treatment is crucial when dogs are diagnosed with intestinal obstruction. If it is mild intestinal obstruction and detected early, veterinarians may try some conservative treatment methods. For example, by fasting and abstaining from water, the burden on the intestines can be reduced, giving the intestines the opportunity to self adjust and recover; Provide dogs with appropriate liquid therapy to replenish water and electrolytes, prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance; Abdominal massage may also be performed, gently massaging the dog's abdomen to promote intestinal peristalsis and try to move or disperse the obstruction. However, it should be noted that the success rate of these conservative treatment methods is relatively low, usually only around 10% -20%. Moreover, during the conservative treatment process, it is necessary to closely observe the changes in the dog's symptoms. If the symptoms do not improve or even worsen, the treatment plan must be adjusted in a timely manner.

If there is severe intestinal obstruction, especially when dogs experience symptoms such as severe dehydration, not eating or drinking, unbearable abdominal pain, and difficulty defecation, surgery is often a necessary choice. The purpose of surgery is to relieve intestinal obstruction and restore intestinal patency. Doctors will adopt different surgical methods based on the specific situation of obstruction. If the obstruction is caused by a foreign object, the foreign object will be removed during surgery; For conditions such as intussusception and intestinal torsion, the intestine will be repositioned to restore its normal position and shape. But surgery is not without risks, after all, any surgery involves certain trauma, and dogs still need a period of recovery and care after surgery.

In the process of treating intestinal obstruction in dogs, as owners, we should also actively participate in nursing work. In terms of diet, strictly follow the veterinarian's advice and control the timing, amount, and type of feeding for dogs before their condition improves. At the beginning of resuming eating, high fiber and easily digestible foods such as cooked pumpkin and spinach puree should be chosen to help intestinal peristalsis and promote bowel movements. However, it is important to avoid feeding foods such as bones and hard objects that may worsen obstruction. At the same time, it is important to encourage dogs to drink more water and maintain sufficient water intake, which is crucial for preventing dehydration and promoting the movement of intestinal contents. It is also possible to increase the amount of exercise for dogs appropriately, but it is important to avoid vigorous exercise and choose light activities such as walking and jogging to promote intestinal peristalsis. Closely observe changes in the dog's symptoms, including appetite, mental state, bowel movements, etc., and record them in detail. Provide timely feedback to the veterinarian during follow-up visits so that the doctor can adjust the treatment plan based on the dog's recovery.

Dogs with intestinal obstruction can hardly heal on their own. We need to promptly detect symptoms, take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible, and actively cooperate with treatment and care. Every dog is an indispensable member of our family, accompanying us with all their love. When they encounter illness, we should do our best, use professional knowledge and full love, to help them overcome the disease, restore their health, and continue to live happily with us, accompanying us through every beautiful day.