Intussusception in Dogs

What is an intussusception?

An intussusception occurs when one part of the intestine slides into another part, like a telescope collapsing in on itself. It can cause a blockage that prevents food from moving through the intestine.

An intussusception can occur in any area of the intestine, including the large intestine (colon and cecum), and can also involve the stomach. It can also happen in multiple areas of the gastrointestinal tract at the same time.

An intussusception can be temporary, but if it persists, it can become permanent. The intestine can swell as the blood vessels get compressed, eventually leading to tissue death. If this happens, intestinal contents may leak into the abdomen, causing life-threatening peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen).

What causes an intussusception?

An intussusception is caused by irregular movement (motility) of the intestine. Many underlying conditions can cause this irregularity, including intestinal parasites, foreign bodies (non-digestible objects), acute bacterial or viral intestinal infections, other infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. Sometimes a cause is not identified.

This condition is most common in dogs younger than one year but can occur in older dogs as well. It also tends to occur more often in German Shepherds than in other breeds.

What are the signs of an intussusception?

An intussusception can partially or completely block the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. Signs may include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Reduced appetite or loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain or swelling

Signs can vary in severity, because the blockage may be partial, or the intussusception may come and go. They may improve initially before returning.

How is an intussusception diagnosed?

During a physical examination, your veterinarian may find signs of dehydration, a high heart rate, and pale mucous membranes. These findings can also occur with other gastrointestinal conditions. In some cases, your veterinarian may feel a cylindrical mass in the abdomen.

Standard screening tests are usually recommended, including a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, and urinalysis (urine test). These tests may show evidence of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and, less commonly, acute kidney failure.

Plain X-rays (radiographs) do not usually confirm an intussusception, although they may show a mass or an area of intestine dilated with air. Ultrasound or contrast X-rays using barium (a liquid that shows up on an X-ray) are often needed to detect an intussusception. Ultrasound may also help determine the underlying cause.

An intussusception may also be discovered during an exploratory laparotomy—an abdominal surgery used to diagnose and potentially treat the cause of a dog’s gastrointestinal signs.

How is an intussusception treated?

Most cases of intussusception require surgery. Your veterinarian may remove the affected part of the intestine and surgically join the remaining healthy ends. In other cases, they may manually manipulate the intestine to correct the intussusception. In selected cases, they may also attach one section of the intestine to another to help reduce the risk of recurrence.

Rarely, an intussusception may correct itself. In a small number of cases, a veterinarian may be able to correct it by gently manipulating the intestine through the skin and abdominal wall. In some puppies, it may be possible to infuse saline into the colon and use water pressure to correct the intussusception.

What is the prognosis?

Prognosis depends on the location, duration, and severity of the intussusception. Without treatment, dogs with severe intussusceptions can die within a few days. Less severe cases, such as those that do not fully obstruct the intestine or cause tissue damage, may survive for weeks to months without specific treatment. Prognosis with surgical treatment is generally good if surgery is performed early with intensive supportive care.