Dogs sometimes eat objects — like socks and toys — that can cause a medical problem called a bowel obstruction. This issue requires veterinarian treatment to resolve, but being able to recognize the signs early on can minimize complications and discomfort to your pet. Here’s what you should know about bowel blockages and what a veterinarian can do to help.

What Is a Bowel Obstruction & What Are the Signs?

A bowel obstruction occurs when your pup ingests an item that becomes lodged in their digestive system and prevents the passage of waste and food. Also known as a gastrointestinal blockage, a bowel obstruction can require emergency pet care from an animal hospital if not caught early on, as it may lead to internal infections or tears in the GI tract. Rarely, blockages can also be caused by tumors, twisted intestines, parasites, and inflammation. Symptoms of an obstruction include vomiting, lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite, difficulty or inability to poop, diarrhea, dehydration, bloating, and tenderness around the abdomen.

What Are Treatment Options?

The veterinarian will give your dog an endoscopy to see the source of the obstruction. If the cause is a foreign object, they may be able to remove it during the endoscopy. If the endoscopy is inconclusive, other diagnostic tests like an ultrasound will be used to locate and identify the source of the obstruction.

For object-caused obstruction, your dog will stay in the animal hospital, receiving fluids to combat dehydration and help the object pass. If it isn’t able to pass within a day or two, your dog will need surgery to remove the blockage. Other causes of obstruction will have different treatment routes. Tumors and twisted intestines will likely need surgery to correct, while inflammation and parasites may be able to be treated with medicine and observation.

If your dog is showing signs of a GI blockage, you need an experienced veterinarian to identify the cause and provide emergency pet care. The team at Carolina Veterinary Hospital, P.A. in Sanford, NC, has over 40 years of experience in general, acute, and emergency pet care. They do complete radiology and lab testing in-house, so there’s minimal wait for results, and they have a cutting-edge facility to provide your pet with the best possible treatment. Learn about their surgical and emergency services online, and call (919) 258-3349 to schedule an appointment.