Most dog owners think that once their puppy reaches a certain age; You don’t have to be so concerned about everything that goes into your mouth. Is not true! Although puppies and younger dogs are the most common victims of intestinal obstruction, older dogs can also be at risk.

Be aware that if your dog’s vomit smells like feces, your dog is in a serious and life-threatening situation. What you smell is feces, which have accumulated and cannot pass normally due to a blockage.

Most common causes of intestinal obstruction

The main cause if this symptom is an obstruction or severe trauma to the lower gastrointestinal tract. The larger or more acute the obstruction, the greater your dog’s risk of perforation, rupture, and peritonitis.

Veterinarians have removed an extraordinary variety of objects from the intestines of our canine companions! They include, but are not limited to, coins, headphones, retainers, marbles, socks, T-shirts, batteries, rawhide, no-chew cookies, bones, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, children’s toys, strings, twine, bullying sticks, balls. (Including a whole golf ball!), Towels, wood, blankets, toy stuffing, kitty litter, string, pins, jewelry, and nails / screws,

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms generally appear within 7 hours of ingesting the product. However, in some cases it may take days before you notice a problem. The most common warning signs that something is wrong are intermittent vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, poor appetite, pale gums, bleeding, weakness, lethargy, electrolyte imbalance, shock, and possibly death.

Owners often have the false feeling that the blockage has passed if their pet has diarrhea. Do not be fooled. Diarrhea can fix a blockage.

As a general rule, upper gastrointestinal obstructions often cause projectile vomiting.

Lower GI obstructions commonly cause a distended abdomen and vomit that smells like feces.

Intestinal strangulation blocks the flow of oxygen and blood, causing gangrene of the intestines.

Death can occur in a matter of hours.

Diagnosis / prognosis

The sooner your pet is examined and the object removed, the sooner the recovery process will begin. Your vet will examine your dog by palpating the abdominal area for bloating and tenderness. They will examine the gums to see if they are pale. They may suggest an X-ray to identify the item and locate the blockage.

Depending on the severity of the obstruction, or if there are complicating factors, such as perforation, rupture, peritonitis, or necrosis, most dogs recover fairly quickly.

Deals

Treatment generally depends on the size, shape, how long the item has been ingested, and whether there is any breakage or perforation. Treatment to remove the object could be as simple as having your vet vomit or retrieve the object with an endoscope. Do not try to induce vomiting yourself.

Most likely, your dog is dehydrated. Your vet may use IV therapy to rehydrate and antibiotics to prevent secondary infection. They will most likely also recommend rest and a liquid or soft diet, before moving on to your dog’s regular diet.

If the object has passed through your dog’s pylorus (where the stomach connects to the small intestine), surgery is required. After surgery, rest, IV therapy, antibiotics, and observation for leaks are required, followed by a liquid diet, soft foods, and a regular diet. They will probably have to stay in the animal hospital for a day or two after surgery.

Bottom line: Always check what your puppy or dog has in his mouth! Monitor what your dog chews, especially if he is aggressive or obsessive. If the object is small enough to get caught in your throat, throw it away! If you know they are sneaky thieves, make sure objects they shouldn’t have access to are out of their reach. Don’t take any chances, if your vomit smells like poop, seek help immediately!