Gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, also called a foreign body, is when something ingested by the dog has a difficult time passing through the dog's GI tract. It slows passage down or stops movement entirely. Sometimes medical therapy can help the object pass, but most of the time, surgical removal of the object is needed.

Bloat refers to the stomach being enlarged, either from ingesting a large amount of food, or the stomach itself twisting in the body and filling with gas. In the case of food bloat, this can be treated with medical therapy, but the stomach twisting generally requires surgery to correct the issue.

Signs of GI Obstructions or Bloat:

If you notice any of these symptoms or believe your dog ingested an item that could cause an obstruction, please contact Puppy Program Staff right away. These situations are considered emergencies- we need to know about them as soon as possible.

Phone to report Emergencies: 763-331-3000, select option 3.


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