Symptoms of a Blocked Bowel in a Dog

If your dog eats something it shouldn't, there's a chance that the foreign object could get stuck in its intestines. Other times, there is a structural problem with the intestines themselves that cause a twisting, turning or telescoping action which binds up the normal movements of food and fluids through the gut. A blocked bowel, also called an intestinal obstruction, is a serious medical problem with potentially deadly results. If you suspect your dog suffers from a partial or full blocked bowel, seek emergency veterinary medical care immediately.

  1. Change in Behavior

    • Some of the first symptoms dog owners notice are changes in their dog's behavior. These changes are more pronounced and severe in a complete obstruction of the bowel but are also present in partial bowel obstructions. The first sign of bowel obstruction in dogs is the acute onset of anorexia, or a refusal to eat. This is followed by pain that is typically expressed by vocalization such as whining. Dogs with a blocked bowel usually refuse to eat and typically lay on their side, as opposed to their stomach.

    Abnormal Vital Signs

    • Shortly after the onset of behavior changes, dogs with blocked bowels usually go into a state of shock. Again, these symptoms are more obvious in full bowel obstructions but are also present in partial bowel obstructions. Dogs with blocked bowels exhibit pale-colored mucous membranes. This symptom is most visible on the gums but can also be seen in the nostrils and around the eyes. Capillary refill time marks how long it takes for blood to return to an area after pressure is applied. Press your finger to the dog's gum and remove it. In a healthy dog, the capillary refill time is one to two seconds. Dogs with obstructed bowels have a CRT of three to four seconds. Some dogs exhibit a weak, rapid pulse and may be hypothermic.

    Appearance

    • The most telling symptom of a blocked bowel in dogs is the appearance of the abdomen. The abdomen takes on a full, distended appearance. The appearance is sometimes described as tympanic, or looking like a stretched out drum head. The stomach is full of fluid and gas. This is the result of the blockage itself. Since the gas and fluids that normally accumulate in the stomach have nowhere to go, they sit in the stomach and intestines. The amount of swelling depends on how blocked the intestines are -- a full blockage leads to a more bloated appearance.

    Stomach and Bowel Signs

    • Dogs with an intestinal obstruction projectile vomit. In a partial blockage, the vomit resembles normal vomit. Dogs with a full intestinal blockage projectile vomit a substance that looks and smells like fecal matter. Partial bowel obstructions often lead to diarrhea -- since the fecal matter can't be expelled in its entirety, it squeezes around the obstruction and thins out before exit. Diarrhea is sometimes accompanied by gas. Dogs with a total obstruction exhibit constipation and no gas. Cramping is present in dogs with both partial and total bowel obstructions.