VSR 421: Regional Veterinary Surgery (2+1)

INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION contd:

• Any mechanical or functional interference with progression of the intestinal contents will cause obstruction.
• It may be
  • Simple – if vascular supply of the intestine is not compromised
  • Strangulated – if blood vessels are involved
  • Complete or incomplete – depends upon degree of occlusion 
• High (proximal): Obstruction of small intestines
• Low (distal): Obstruction of large intestines
• Incidence: Infrequent in ruminants but common in dogs and cats

Causes of mechanical obstruction

• Intra luminal 
  • Faecolith
  • Impacted ingesta 
  • Foreign bodies   
  • Parasitic infestation eg: nodular worms 

Foreign body obstruction

• Extra luminal
  • Stenosis, Adhesions, Fibrous bands, Hernia, Abscess, Neoplasms 
  • Intussusception 
  • Volvulus and torsion

Functional obstruction (Paralytic lecus)

• Trauma 
• Peritonitis 
• Heavy concentrate feeding 
• Congenital defects 
• Malformations of the intestine eg: Hypoplasia or atresia 
• Meckel’s diverticulum 
• Miscellaneous – Mesenteric thrombosis

Clinical signs of incomplete obstruction

• Pain in initial stages of obstruction
• Cessation of defecation
• Anorexia
• Distension of abdomen
• Looking towards the site of pain (colic symptoms)
• Kicking at the abdomen
• Frequent standing and lying down
• Increased pulse rate (depend upon duration of obstruction and involvement of blood vessels)
• Faeces is scanty with blood and thick mucus