Intussusception is an uncommon but
potentially life-threatening condition that
can occur in dogs and cats of all ages.
There are many different causes of this
condition, several of which can be
eliminated through good routine health
practices. Treatment options are almost
exclusively surgical. Surgery is often
successful if the condition is caught early.
What is intussusception?
Intussusception is the sliding or
telescoping of the intestine within itself.
It occurs primarily in the small intestine
but may occasionally occur in the
large intestine. When the
intestine slides within itself the blood
supply to that section is greatly reduced
and the
tissue begins to swell and then
die. The entire process can occur rapidly,
which makes early detection and treatment
essential.
Which animals are
more prone to intussusceptions?
Puppies and kittens are the most likely
ones to develop intussusception although it
can occur in any age or species. There does
not appear to be a specific breed
predilection.
What causes
intussusceptions?
There are several conditions that
predispose a dog to developing an
intussusception. Many of these conditions
affect the
motility of the intestine.
Intussusception is seen more commonly in
puppies carrying large numbers of intestinal
parasites such as
roundworms,
hookworms, or
whipworms. Viral (e.g.,
parvovirus in puppies) or bacterial
gastroenteritis is another common cause.
Pieces of plastic, bone or wood in the
intestine of a dog can lead to the
development of intussusception. Tumors or
recent abdominal surgery may also contribute
to the development of this condition.
What are the
symptoms of intussusception?
When the small intestine telescopes into
itself, movement of intestinal contents is
partially or completely blocked, therefore,
the dog or cat commonly vomits. Once the
gastrointestinal tract behind the
intussusception empties, stools are scant to
none. Any fecal material that is passed is
jelly-like, may be bloody, and not well
formed. The appetite will be greatly
depressed. The animal experiences severe
abdominal pain, and eventually shock and
then death.
How is
intussusception diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually tentatively made
based on the symptoms and the
palpation of a firm
sausage-shaped mass in the abdomen.
Diagnosis is confirmed with x-rays (usually
using barium) and possibly
exploratory surgery.
What are the risks
associated with an intussusception?
An intussusception is serious; left
untreated, it will result in death. As the
intestines telescope into one another,
pressure restricts blood flow to the area.
Portions of the intestines therefore may
actually die, and toxins and bacteria may be
released into the rest of the body.
What is the
treatment of intussusception?
Treatment consists of either surgically
'sliding' the telescoping portion of the
intestine apart, or complete surgical
removal of the intussusception. The size of
the intussusception, amount of damage to the
tissues, and the length of time the animal
has had the condition will dictate which
procedure is used. Post surgically the
animal will have to go through a normal
recovery period. If the intussusception is
caught soon enough and the animal undergoes
a successful surgery, most will recover
completely. One recent study suggested that
up to 25% of dogs that develop an
intussusception would have a reoccurrence in
the future. There is a surgical procedure
called 'enteroplication' in which the loops
of intestine are attached to one another and
thus reduces the incidence of reoccurrence
in some pets.
What can be done to
prevent an intussusception?
If the owner follows good deworming and
vaccinating programs as well as preventing
access to foreign bodies, the incidence of
intussusception can be reduced. Early
recognition and treatment of other
intestinal diseases can also help minimize
the chance of an intussusception. Finally,
if the owner recognizes the symptoms of an
intussusception early, and the animal
receives prompt veterinary care, most
animals can be successfully treated.
