Signs & Symptoms of Intestinal Blockage in a Puppy With Constipation

Feed your puppy high-quality food and provide it with plenty of fresh water. These are key actions in promoting regular bowel movements and overall intestinal health. Even if you provide the best diet possible, your puppy may become constipated. While this is a treatable condition, in some cases more serious problems develop. Watch closely for signs and symptoms of intestinal blockage in a puppy with constipation. If obstruction occurs, immediate treatment is necessary to save your puppy's life.

  1. Symptoms

    • The signs and symptoms of intestinal blockage in a puppy with constipation depend on the type of obstruction and where it's located. Partial obstructions cause straining, vomiting, painful bowel movements and diarrhea. These signs may only show up on occasion until the obstruction becomes complete. A complete blockage causes severe pain and vomiting that seems to hit all at once. According to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," upper bowel obstructions tend to cause projectile vomiting while lower blockages cause abdominal swelling and vomit with a foul, stool-like smell and a brown color.

    Causes

    • A number of issues lead to constipation and intestinal blockage in puppies. The "Dog Owner's Veterinary Handbook" names foreign objects as the number one cause of obstruction. This may mean the puppy swallowed something it shouldn't have or that the puppy has a tumor or hernia. Parasites, particularly roundworms, also cause blockages in cases of heavy infection. Colitis, or inflammation of the bowel, makes bowel movements painful to puppies, which can lead to constipation and obstipation -- a condition in which stool becomes impacted in the colon.

    Treatment

    • Treatment of intestinal blockage and constipation in puppies contains two components: immediate care to resolve the blockage and long-term care to eliminate the underlying problem. The puppy will need surgery to remove the obstruction. Once normal bowel function is restored, the cause of the blockage must be treated to prevent recurring issues. If parasites caused the issue, the puppy should be dewormed. If the puppy has swallowed something it shouldn't have, you must puppy proof your home by removing any objects it could swallow before returning the dog to its environment. Your veterinarian may also suggest that you put your dog on a high-quality, high-fiber diet.

    Warning

    • If you notice the symptoms of severe constipation in your dog, consult a veterinarian. If you suspect your puppy has roundworms or threadworms, have them dewormed to prevent the possibility of an obstruction. Left untreated, a blocked bowel will develop gangrene from lack of adequate blood supply. Straining to defecate can lead to a prolapse. Unless properly and swiftly treated, the condition can lead to death.