Intussusception in Dogs: Diagnosis and Surgical Management

The study included 14 canine patients suffering from mechanical obstruction of GIT due to intussusception. Diagnosis was made on the basis of history, clinical presentation, abdominal palpation, radiography and ultrasonography. Leukocytic anaemia, neutrophillia, lymphocytopenia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoglycemia and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase were the important haematobiochemical alterations. Animals were treated by manual reduction of intestinal loops (n=6) or intestinal resection followed by end to end anastomosis (n=8). Mortality was recorded in two animals. Other animals recovered well. It was concluded that early presentation, diagnosis and surgical intervention may improve the outcome of canine gastrointestinal affections.