Actions for suspected intestinal foreign body in a dog.

Blockages of the bowel in dogs caused by objects they have eaten are a common emergency in veterinary practice. Objects causing an obstruction are called foreign bodies.

A blocked bowel is a serious surgical emergency and although these surgeries are often successful, there are potential complications, and some of these can be fatal. If possible, it is therefore safer to prevent the risk of a blockage if you are aware that your pet dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have.

You should contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten or chewed something up that may be dangerous or possibly cause a blockage as it passes through the intestines. 

Common items to cause obstructions are pieces of corn cob or peach stones. Both are quite rough on the surface this makes them slow to pass through the intestines and this can cause them to become lodged. There is no end to the variety of things a dog will eat from items of clothing to squeaky toys even sets of keys! Young dogs in particular explore the world by chewing it and may eat almost anything.

Symptoms of an obstruction

Dogs with a blocked bowel will become progressively more ill and depressed. Before they feel too unwell to eat they will bring back up what food they consume but quite quickly they will refuse to eat but may continue to be sick. When nothing can pass through the intestines they will bring up any water they drink as well. 

These dogs will also be producing a reduced amount or no faeces (poo) at all. 

These dogs may well show signs of stomach discomfort.

Any dog which is vomiting or refusing food and becoming increasingly less active should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If surgery is required any delay can reduce the chances of a successful outcome.

Prevention of an obstruction

If the foreign body can be removed from the stomach before it passes into the small intestine then complicated and life threatening consequences may be avoided.

Many potential obstructions can be prevented simply by your vet using medication to make your dog vomit and thus bring up the dangerous item. It will depend to some extent what is thought to have been swallowed before a decision is made if this approach is the best one.

Some foreign bodies may be retrieved by “endoscopic” means. The endoscope (a thin flexible camera) allows the vet to look into the stomach and perhaps grab and retrieve the dangerous item.

Your vet may recommend an xray to see if the foreign body can be located by that method.

Once a foreign body has left the stomach and entered the small intestine it can only be retrieved surgically unless it passes through naturally. It is important therefore to see your vet quickly if you suspect your dog has eaten something that may cause a blockage, ideally within an hour or two although some things may remain in the stomach for much longer than that.