Surgery for bowel obstruction in dogs

[DPT2013]

Anyone have any experience with this?

Unfortunately my 6 year old golden retriever rescue (that was turned into the shelter in Nov for chewing) got a hold of towel and ate large chunk of it. After no improvement on fluids for 6 hours, she went into surgery. It was considered a “linear foreign body” which is apparently worse because it travels through a large portion of the intestine. I went to see her today (approximately 14 hours after surgery) and I personally felt she looked terrible. Despite throwing up, she was still bright eyed and trotting along before the surgery. She seemed very uncomfortable and out of it afterwards. Vet said this is normal, but man is it hard to watch. They are hoping she can come home in two more days.

Anyone have experience with the recovery/rehab with this type of surgery? My dog is high energy. I’m really worried about keeping her calm for weeks.

[DrBeckett]

Foreign body obstructions can be “easy” or “very difficult” depending on how long the obstruction was in there, where exactly it was, etc. A linear FB is bad because it plicates the intestines like an accordion and the intestines can die faster.

Did they have to remove any of the intestines? Do they think they might have to go back in? Vomiting post FB surgery is not good. They can still be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and 3 days later they tank. Once they are eating and having normal bowel movements, we send them home. They usually do remarkably well, but again, depends on how much damage there was in the first place.

Unfortunately, there are a ton of things that can change prognosis. I warn clients that it can be days before we know how it’s going to go. It can be hard to watch, but once they turn the corner, they usually bounce back pretty well.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[Marshfield]

Barring setbacks, usually close to fully healed and cleared for normal activities in 10 to 14 days. Being out of it is normal as opioids are the mainstay for pain management.

[DPT2013]

@DrBeckett

Foreign body obstructions can be “easy” or “very difficult” depending on how long the obstruction was in there, where exactly it was, etc. A linear FB is bad because it plicates the intestines like an accordion and the intestines can die faster.

Did they have to remove any of the intestines? Do they think they might have to go back in? Vomiting post FB surgery is not good. They can still be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and 3 days later they tank. Once they are eating and having normal bowel movements, we send them home. They usually do remarkably well, but again, depends on how much damage there was in the first place.

Unfortunately, there are a ton of things that can change prognosis. I warn clients that it can be days before we know how it’s going to go. It can be hard to watch, but once they turn the corner, they usually bounce back pretty well.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

They had me bring her home today. They had taken her off IV meds/fluids. She is on tramadol and pepcid. Eating and drinking fine (knock on wood). She hadn’t pooped but the surgeon said he isn’t concerned about that unless she’s straining and nothing is coming out or is obviously uncomfortable. She is much brighter today, but I was still nervous bringing her home on day 3. They didn’t have to remove any intestines. They said the first 5 days are the most critical, so she won’t be leaving my sight for a while!

[csaper58]

Is she eating soft easily digested foods? I found many small meal of appropriate food thru out the day helped my dog.