What to Know About Intestinal Blockage in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

If there’s one thing we can say about dogs, it’s that they love to eat. Dogs are naturally curious animals that will eat just about anything and everything. But when that willingness to bite, chew, and steal your shoes causes your dog to eat something they shouldn’t, they may develop an obstruction in their digestive tract. Signs of intestinal blockage in dogs typically indicate your pet needs emergency veterinary care, so it’s important to know how to identify the symptoms and act quickly if you spot them.

What is an Intestinal Blockage?

An intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction in dogs is a partial or complete blockage in the stomach or intestines that prevents food or liquids from passing through.

In some cases, an intestinal blockage can disrupt normal blood flow and cause deterioration in the bowels. A blockage can cause tissue death (necrosis) or breakage by pressing on the intestinal wall, leading to a bowel rupture or perforation.

More commonly, though, a blockage prevents the absorption of water and nutrients through the digestive tract. This can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

If you believe your dog ate something they shouldn’t have, swallowed a foreign object, or is experiencing any signs of an intestinal blockage, contact your vet immediately. If you live in Austin, 24-hour emergency vet services are available here at Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists.

Signs & Symptoms Your Dog Has a Possible Blockage

Some of the most common symptoms of a gastrointestinal blockage in dogs include:

Vomiting
Anorexia (you might notice that your dog won’t eat like usual)
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Bloating
Whining
Hunching
Weakness

What Causes Intestinal Blockages in Dogs?

A dog intestinal blockage is usually caused by a foreign body – an item the dog eats that then causes an obstruction – but this isn’t always the case.

Foreign Objects

Most intestinal blockage in dogs is caused by foreign objects your dog eats. Common examples of obstruction-causing items include:

Balls
Bones
Toys
Rocks
Articles of clothing (like socks or underwear)
Tampons
Fruit pits
Linear objects (string, yarn, thread, etc.)

Masses or Tumors

Dog tumors or masses, which are abnormal new growths of tissue in the digestive tract, may also lead to an obstruction. This is most likely to occur in senior dogs.

Certain Medical Conditions or Procedures

Other health problems or medical procedures might also cause gastrointestinal blockages in dogs. Some examples of other conditions that might come into play include:

Strictures and adhesions, which are often caused by scar tissue in the intestines
Hernias
Intestinal twisting or torsion
Severe inflammation of the intestines
Internal parasite infections (like worms)

Treatment for Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

When a dog starts to show symptoms of a bowel obstruction, veterinary professionals must act quickly to diagnose and treat the problem.

Diagnosing Bowel Obstructions in Dogs

Your veterinarian will likely start by asking about the symptoms you’ve noticed as they examine your pet. In some cases, dogs can be made to vomit immediately at the vet’s office, which allows them to purge the foreign object before it causes a blockage.

But if your dog already shows signs of an obstruction, your vet will move on to a general physical examination. They may perform initial blood work, an X-ray, or an abdominal ultrasound to further evaluate the situation.

Treatment Options

Once the cause of your dog’s symptoms has been confirmed as an obstruction, your vet will determine the best treatment approach based on your dog’s size, symptom severity, and the size of the object in question.

Sometimes, the item ingested is small enough to be passed normally through a dog’s stool. Items that are lodged in the upper digestive tract can often be removed with a flexible endoscope.

However, if interventions like these fail, the foreign object isn’t moving on its own, or if the obstruction gets worse, your vet will likely recommend surgical treatment.

Bowel Obstruction Surgery for Dogs

Before pursuing bowel obstruction surgery, your vet may recommend admitting your dog into an animal hospital so they can receive IV fluids to fight dehydration. They can also receive medication for pain and nausea to help them stabilize.

Most gastrointestinal obstructions occur in the stomach or intestines, which means a gastronomy or enterotomy is typically needed to remove the blockage. Once the offending item is removed, your vet can close the gastrointestinal tract.

What should I do if my dog ate something bad or may have an intestinal blockage?

If you notice signs of an intestinal blockage in your dog, don’t wait to speak up. The first thing you should do is contact your veterinarian, even if you’re not sure what your dog ate or if they need to be seen.

Visiting an Austin pet emergency hospital like Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists allows you to access all the care your pet may need in one place. From emergency to critical care services and surgical treatment, our facility and staff are equipped to help you through each step of the recovery process.

Visiting an Austin pet emergency hospital like Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists allows you to access all the care your pet may need in one place.

From emergency to critical care services and surgical treatment, our facility and staff are equipped to help you through each step of the recovery process.

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A cat is being examined by a veterinarian with a stethoscope for Urinary Obstruction in Cats.

What is Urinary Obstruction in Cats?

By Kerry Chrapliwy • February 25, 2025

Keeping your cat’s litter box clean is essential for maintaining its long-term health. Even after meticulously scooping the urine clumps, replacing the litter once a week, and scrubbing every inch of the litter box every couple of weeks, your cat may still experience urinary issues. Urinary obstruction in cats is one of the more serious ailments affecting the urethra and requires urgent medical attention. What is Urinary Obstruction? Urinary obstruction in cats describes situations involving a partial or full blockage of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the cat’s external opening. You might hear your veterinarian call it a urethral blockage or urethral obstruction, and it’s one of the most common reasons for cats to see their vets. A urinary obstruction may be referred to as FLUTD, or feline lower urinary tract disease. You may also hear the term FIC, short for feline interstitial cystitis, which refers to inflammation of the bladder. Urinary obstructions are most common in young castrated male cats, but can occur in older pets and intact males as well. FIC is also much more common in cats younger than 10. Risks of Urinary Obstructions Urinating is a vital function for almost all creatures, as it eliminates waste and maintains appropriate levels of bodily fluids. Retaining urine can result in: Bladder tear (rupture) due to increased pressure Renal (kidney) damage or failure Heart problems due to electrolyte imbalances What Causes Urinary Obstructions in Cats? The inflammation that occurs with FIC is a common cause of urinary obstructions in cats. Two other ailments commonly associated with urinary obstructions are uroliths (bladder stones that can travel to the urethra) and urethral plugs, which consist of bodily crystals and mucus. Cancer is a rare cause of urinary obstructions. Preventing Urinary Obstruction Maintaining your cat’s general health, which involves regular vet check-ups, can reduce the chances of urinary obstructions. Ensuring your felines have access to enough water and food is also essential, as is helping them stay at healthy weights. Male cats are prone to urinary obstructions and other FLUTDs because their urethra is narrower and longer than those of female cats. Some cats who experience frequent urinary obstructions may benefit from a procedure called a perineal urethrostomy (PU), which widens the urethral opening. Treating Urinary Obstruction: When to See an Emergency Vet It’s a good idea to take your cat to a vet as soon as possible if you notice signs of urinary obstruction, as serious health problems can crop up within 12 hours or less. Untreated urinary obstructions can cause death in cats within 24 hours, so time is of the essence. Common symptoms of urinary obstructions in cats include: Frequent urination (more than four times per day) Weak urinary flow Urinating only a few drops at a time (or nothing at all) Bloody or cloudy urine Vocalizing or crying out while urinating Straining while urinating Urinating outside of the litter box Vomiting Diarrhea Lethargy Decreased appetite Excessive licking of their genitals If you suspect your cat is exhibiting these symptoms but aren’t sure, we strongly recommend erring on the side of caution and bringing them to a vet as soon as possible. Depending on the location of the litter box, it may be difficult to tell whether your cat is having trouble peeing or not urinating at all. Your vet may insert a catheter to drain the backed-up urine, and your cat may need to take medications for a few days.