by Megan Kingsley

Created on: September 20, 2009   Last Updated: September 29, 2009

Sooner or later, most dogs will eat something they should not. Most of the time, these indiscretions cause no more than a few days of worry for the dog's owners, or slight digestive upset. At times, however, culinary indiscretions can lead to a dog suffering from an intestinal blockage, also called a bowel obstruction. This means the dog has something blocking the normal movement of food and waste through the intestinal tract. Usually caused by consuming a foreign object, such problems can also be caused by hernia, the intestine folding over on itself (intussusception) or growths in or around the digestive system.

An intestinal blockage may be partial or full. If a partial blockage is the problem, symptoms may come and go, with periods of normalcy interrupted by symptomatic episodes. A full obstruction will produce constant symptoms.

Symptoms: - (one or more may be present)

- Vomiting. The dog may vomit frequently or only a few times per day. Vomitus may contain some of the obstructing material (gravel, perhaps, if the dog is consuming it) and may resemble fecal matter if the obstruction is low in the digestive tract. Projectile vomiting is another symptom of an intestinal blockage. A problem high in the digestive tract may result in vomiting immediately after eating or drinking, often containing undigested food. The lower the blockage, the more time there may be between eating and vomiting.

- Cramping. An obstruction is uncomfortable at best, excruciating at worst. Dogs with a blockage will sometimes exhibit symptoms of abdominal pain, including a hunched posture, whining, and reluctance to move. Animals in pain may breathe or pant rapidly, and will generally show signs of lethargy.

- Abdominal Distension. When a blockage occurs, digested matter builds up behind the stoppage, resulting in abdominal distension. This is an emergency. If left untreated, distension may result in a ruptured stomach or intestine in short order.

- Diarrhea and/or Constipation. Contrary to popular belief, a dog with a full or partial blockage may still be able to produce fecal matter. Foul-smelling diarrhea is a common symptom, as is constipation. Alternating between diarrhea and constipation is a common symptom of a full or partial obstruction.

- Difficult Defecating. Some dogs with a blockage will have difficulty passing stool. They may crouch as if to defecate, and produce little or nothing. Such an instance may produce a painful response from the dog.

- Loss of appetite. Some

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