How to clear intestinal blockage in dogs?

During the warm moments spent with dogs, their lively and cheerful figures and enthusiastic demeanor always bring endless warmth and joy to our lives. However, when the terrifying illness of intestinal obstruction quietly befalls a dog, everything turns gloomy. Intestinal obstruction, a seemingly unfamiliar condition that can pose a threat to a dog's life and health at any time, causes great concern for every dog lover. As guardians of dogs, having an in-depth understanding of how to solve the problem of intestinal obstruction in dogs is not only our responsibility but also offers them the hope of continuing to live a healthy life.

When a dog suffers from intestinal obstruction, it cannot clearly tell us about its physical pain and can only convey its discomfort through some abnormal manifestations. At first, the dog may experience vomiting. At the beginning, it may vomit undigested food, but as the condition progresses, the vomit will turn into a yellow-green liquid similar to bile, which is a dangerous signal of bile reflux after the intestine is blocked. Some dogs will have frequent diarrhea, while others, on the contrary, cannot defecate at all because the intestine is blocked and the normal excretion pathway is cut off. The dog that was originally full of vitality suddenly becomes listless, losing interest in the play and walks it used to love, and lying lazily all day long. Its appetite also decreases significantly, and it may even ignore its favorite food. The abdominal pain torments it. When the abdomen is gently touched, the dog may whine and dodge due to the intense pain, or curl up restlessly, trying to find a position to relieve the pain but unable to find peace. Seeing the dog in such pain, our hearts feel as if they are being pricked by thousands of needles, and a flood of heartache and anxiety well up in our hearts.

So, what exactly causes a dog to fall into the predicament of intestinal obstruction? Dogs are naturally curious and have a strong desire to explore everything around them, and their way of exploring the world is often to bite and taste with their mouths. As a result, small toys left lying around, fallen socks, small stones on the ground, and even pieces of fabric may be inadvertently swallowed by the dog and become the main culprits blocking the intestine. Especially puppies, who are still ignorant about the world and do not know what can and cannot be eaten, are more likely to suffer from intestinal obstruction due to accidentally ingesting foreign objects. For long-haired dog breeds, the issue of hair cannot be ignored. When dogs lick their fur daily, they will swallow a large amount of hair. Over time, these hairs may tangle with each other in the intestine, forming hairballs that are difficult to expel, ultimately leading to intestinal obstruction. In addition, tumors, growths in the intestine, or certain special diseases that cause abnormal contractions of the intestine can also block the normal passage of the intestine.

Facing the intestinal obstruction of a dog, as owners, the torment in our hearts is indescribable. Every time we see the dog in discomfort, we will fall into deep self-blame, blaming ourselves for not keeping the house tidier and not stopping the dog's dangerous behavior in time. The pressure of treatment costs, the uncertainty of the treatment effect, and the worry about whether the dog can recover are like heavy boulders pressing on our hearts. But at this moment, what the dog needs most is our firm companionship and full assistance. We should not be immersed in self-blame but should cheer up and actively seek solutions.

The most urgent task is to find an effective way to clear the intestinal obstruction as soon as possible. The choice of the treatment plan mainly depends on the severity of the intestinal obstruction and its specific causes. For some cases with mild symptoms and small blockages, the doctor may recommend conservative treatment. Adjusting the dog's diet structure is an important part of conservative treatment. Providing the dog with foods rich in dietary fiber can increase the volume of feces, creating a natural pushing force in the intestine and attempting to expel the blockage bit by bit. At the same time, the doctor may, based on the condition, carefully prescribe some medications, such as mild laxatives, to stimulate intestinal peristalsis and help expel the blockage. However, it should be noted that if the blockage is a sharp object, using a laxative is like walking on thin ice. A slight mistake may cause the sharp object to pierce the intestine, resulting in more serious damage.

If the intestinal obstruction has reached a severe stage, completely blocking the intestine, or if the effect is not satisfactory after a period of conservative treatment, surgery becomes the key means to save the dog's life. Intestinal obstruction surgery is a severe test for both the dog and the owner. Under the shadowless lamp, the veterinarian carefully makes a small incision in the dog's abdomen, carefully searches for the blockage in the intestine, and precisely removes it. Sometimes, due to the long blockage time, part of the intestinal tissue has been severely damaged. For the long-term health of the dog, the veterinarian has to reluctantly remove the damaged part of the intestine and then reconnect the healthy ends. In this process, every step is related to the dog's life and death, and it also tugs at the owner's heartstrings.

After the surgery, the dog's road to recovery is also full of challenges. At this time, the dog is extremely weak and needs a quiet and warm environment to rest well. In terms of diet, the principle of eating small meals frequently should be followed. Start with easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods and gradually transition to a normal diet. The doctor will reasonably prescribe painkillers according to the dog's pain condition to relieve its physical pain. As owners, we should always stay by the dog's side and pay close attention to every subtle change in it. When we see the dog start to eat actively, its defecation return to normal, and its vitality gradually return, that is the happiest moment for us, as if the haze has dissipated and the sun shines back into our lives.

However, prevention is always better than treatment. In daily life, we should pay special attention to every move of the dog. When taking the dog to a new environment, we should be more vigilant and check in advance whether there are any dangerous items around. Select suitable toys for the dog and avoid toys that are easy to be bitten and swallowed from entering its world. For long-haired dogs, regular hair combing is an essential task. This not only makes the dog look more beautiful but also greatly reduces the amount of hair it swallows. In addition, appropriately adding some products to prevent hairballs to the diet can also play a certain auxiliary role. At the same time, don't forget to take the dog to see the veterinarian regularly. Through professional examinations, potential health risks can be discovered in a timely manner, and the risk of intestinal obstruction can be nipped in the bud.

Dogs are our close friends in life, and they give us unconditional love and loyalty. When they encounter a crisis like intestinal obstruction, we should, with our love and responsibility for them, bravely face the challenges.