How is intussusception diagnosed in dogs?
Dogs and cats that develop intussusceptions have generally been having episodes of diarrhea or vomiting before the intussusception occurs. Small volumes of bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, or a palpable abdominal mass are suggestive of an intussusception.
What causes intussusception dogs?
An intussusception is incited by abnormal motility (movement) of the bowel which can be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, intestinal foreign bodies, dietary changes, intestinal tumors, and surgical procedures previously performed on the bowel.
How do you assess intussusception?
To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order: Ultrasound or other abdominal imaging. An ultrasound, X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan may reveal intestinal obstruction caused by intussusception. Imaging will typically show a “bull’s-eye,” representing the intestine coiled within the intestine.
How common is intussusception in puppies?
Intussusception is when a part of the intestine telescopes or folds in on itself. It can occur in pets of all shapes and sizes. Around 80% of affected animals are less than a year old and, in dogs, those under three months are at highest risk.
How do you treat intussusception in dogs?
Treatment of intussusceptions in dogs and cats is generally surgical. Occasionally percutaneous manual reduction of the intussusception may be successful and not recur. Surgical management involves either manual reduction or resection and anastomosis or both. Exploratory laparotomy is performed on the ventral midline.
Is intussusception common in dogs?
An intussusception can occur in dogs and cats of all breeds but are more common in dogs. Certain breeds are more predisposed, such as German Shepherds and Siamese. It is more commonly seen in young animals less than one year of age.
When should you suspect intussusception?
The first sign of intussusception in an otherwise healthy infant may be sudden, loud crying caused by abdominal pain. Infants who have abdominal pain may pull their knees to their chests when they cry. The pain of intussusception comes and goes, usually every 15 to 20 minutes at first.
How do you prevent intussusception in dogs?
Prevention of intussusception can be difficult but promoting a healthy intestinal tract may help. Regular use of intestinal parasite prevention, gradual dietary changes, and ensuring your dog doesn’t eat things it shouldn’t eat can help decrease the chances of this occurring in your dog.
How sensitive is ultrasound in the diagnosis of intussusception?
Ultrasound in diagnosing intussusception has an overall sensitivity: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.98), specificity: 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94-0.99), positive likelihood ratio (PLR): 38.5 (95% CI: 15.5-95.8) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR): 0.02 (95% CI: 0.02-0.04), with an area under ROC (AUROC) curve of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-1.00).
What is puppy intussusception?
Intussusception is when a part of the intestine telescopes or folds in on itself. It can occur in pets of all shapes and sizes. Around 80% of affected animals are less than a year old and, in dogs, those under three months are at highest risk. It can be caused by an intestinal blockage or a bacterial infection.
How is intussusception diagnosed in dogs and cats?
Chronic intussusceptions with minimal hemodynamic changes in the intestinal wall can be observed. The presenting signs in dogs and cats with intussusception are varied and nonspecific. Diagnosis of intussusception can be difficult in chronic forms. It should be suspected in young animals with unclear abdominal signs.
What are meniscus injuries in dogs?
The menisci sit on top of the tibia and act as a cushion to disperse force and friction the knee joint. Who Gets It? Dog of any age, breed, or gender can sustain meniscal injuries.
What are the signs and symptoms of an intussusception?
Small volumes of bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, or a palpable abdominal mass are suggestive of an intussusception. The severity of the clinical signs depends somewhat on the location of the intussusception, with problems lower in the intestinal tract causing less severe clinical signs.
Can worms cause intussusceptions in dogs?
Some foreign body obstructions allow a small amount of food to pass but cause intermittent symptoms of intussusceptions resulting in the chronic form of this problem. Intestinal parasites: Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and other intestinal parasites can infect and reproduce the intestines of a dog.