Intestinal blockage or obstruction is a common reason for slow digestion in dogs. Dogs are naturally curious and use their nose and mouth to explore their environment. Chewing on random objects they find along the way is common but ingesting them leads to digestive issues.
When your dog digests an unusual object it usually takes between 10-24 hours for it to move through the entire digestive tract. Some objects can take longer and sometimes months can go by before it’s fully digested and eliminated from your dog.
Unusual objects such as sticks and rocks can be too large to pass through the digestive tract and cause an obstruction. Get a more detailed look at the causes behind stalled digestion in dogs.
Symptoms of stalled digestion
Obstructed or stalled digestion will cause your dog to experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Straining to defecate
- Lack of appetite that leads to anorexia
- Abdominal tenderness
- Abdominal pain
- Unusual behavior changes
- Lethargy
Diagnosis
If you suspect your dog is experiencing stalled digestion contact the veterinarian office or animal hospital immediately. The veterinarian will take x-rays and conduct an examination which includes a blood and urine test to diagnose the issue.
The examination is necessary to confirm it is, in fact, a digestive blockage instead of an underlying disease such as Addison’s disease, enteritis or pancreatitis.
Generally, the prognosis for gastrointestinal blockage is good for uncomplicated cases. However, there are several things to consider such as:
- The location of the object
- The duration of the obstruction
- The size
- The shape
- The health of your pet before the obstruction
- Did the obstruction cause secondary illnesses
Treatment
The veterinarian will provide a complete treatment plan that might include surgery and other procedures and medications. The veterinarian will also advise you to provide a healthy diet for your dog which will include supplements that aid in digestion such as Bernie’s Perfect Poop.
Bernie’s digestion and general health supplement contain probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, and enzymes that relieve digestive conditions. Ensuring your dog’s diet provides the nutrients needed for overall good health and optimal digestive health is essential to your pet’s well being.
