Stalled Digestion in Dogs

August 27, 2023
Photo: A King Charles Spaniel smiles as he has good oral health.

It's one thing when your dog may be a bit stopped up with constipation, but it's an entirely different thing if your best friend suffers from stalled digestion or an intestinal blockage. Those can be very serious and even deadly conditions, and you want to be on top of them as soon as you know there may be a problem.

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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.

About the Author

The Bernie's Best Staff is a passionate team of pet lovers, dedicated to improving the lives of dogs through natural and science-backed nutrition. With diverse backgrounds in pet health, product development, and education, the team works together to bring pet parents valuable insights and helpful tips. Whether researching the latest in canine wellness or crafting educational resources, the Bernie's Best Staff is committed to helping dogs thrive. When they’re not hard at work, you’ll find them spoiling their own furry family members and embracing every moment of joyful chaos that comes with life as a dog parent.

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