An Article from a qualified veterinary surgeon. Intussusception in the dog and cat, info, diagnosis and treatment.
What is an an intussusception in the dog? : { This article applies equally to cats by the way } This condition is where one part of your dog’s intestinal tract closes in over an adjoining part, the bowel closes in on itself just like closing a telescope. It most commonly happens in the small intestines. If this occurs then it is an in an acute emergency as it can cause obstruction of the intestinal tract and necrosis of the affected tissue. If not quickly treated then deaths are possible.
Intussusceptions are seen in both dogs and cats but in my experience it is much rarer in the cat. As a primary condition it is common in younger animals say below four months of age but where it occurs in middle aged or older animals it can be secondary to other conditions such as alimentary tract tumours.
How is intussusception in the dog diagnosed? : In some cases a vet can come to a reliable diagnosis just by gently palpating the abdomen and feeling the lesion as a sausage like lump. Where this condition is suspected then ultrasound or X-ray would be likely to help you confirm the diagnosis and blood tests would help you decide how much general support such as fluids would be required
What would the symptoms of an intussusception in the dog be? : These would include vomiting, loss of appetite, straining to pass faeces, abdominal pain and resulting depression and lethargy.
What is the treatment? : Although I have a couple of times been able to push one back to the right position by palpating the abdomen and manipulating the affected portion of bowel, sorting it out this way is a matter of luck and very rare. In almost all cases some sort of surgical procedure needs to be carried out as a matter of priority. In these cases if the dog is depressed then intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy prior to or during surgery can make a great difference.
The bottom line here there is nothing you can do here on your own on a home remedy basis so if you suspect your pet has this condition your should get a vet involved at once even if this means using an ER vet.
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