Intussusception
Also known as: Gastroesophageal intussusception, Jejunal intussusception, Jejunojejunal intussusception, Ileocolic intussusception, Cecocolic intussusception, Jejunocolic intussusception
CatDogUrgency: Emergency
Also known as: Gastroesophageal intussusception, Jejunal intussusception, Jejunojejunal intussusception, Ileocolic intussusception, Cecocolic intussusception, Jejunocolic intussusception
In short
Intussusception is a life-threatening veterinary emergency where one segment of the intestine telescopes into another, causing a severe blockage and cutting off blood flow. Prompt surgical intervention is typically required to save the animal's life.
TL;DR. Intussusception is a life-threatening veterinary emergency where one segment of the intestine telescopes into another, causing a severe blockage and cutting off blood flow. Prompt surgical intervention is typically required to save the animal's life.
In an intussusception, one segment of the intestine slides inside an adjacent segment, cutting off blood flow.
Intussusception is a serious, life-threatening gastrointestinal condition that can affect both dogs and cats. It occurs when one segment of the intestine slides, or "telescopes," into an adjacent segment. The segment that slips inside is called the intussusceptum, while the receiving segment is called the intussuscipiens. This telescoping action creates a physical obstruction within the digestive tract, preventing the normal passage of food, fluids, and gas.
As the intestine telescopes, it pulls its blood supply (the mesentery) along with it. This blood supply quickly becomes compressed and pinched between the layers of the intestinal wall. The initial result is mucosal congestion, where blood pools in the lining of the intestine because it cannot drain properly. If the pressure continues to build, the arterial blood supply is cut off entirely, leading to intestinal devitalization—the death of the affected intestinal tissue. If left untreated, the dead tissue can rupture, spilling bacteria and fecal matter into the sterile abdominal cavity, resulting in a fatal infection known as septic peritonitis.
Because of the rapid progression from a simple blockage to tissue death and potential rupture, intussusception is classified as a category 5 veterinary emergency. Immediate medical attention is required to evaluate the pet, stabilize their condition, and perform life-saving intervention.
Intussusception is typically triggered by any condition that alters normal intestinal motility (the coordinated muscle contractions that move food through the gut). When a portion of the gut becomes hyperactive or inflamed, it can easily slip into a neighboring, less active segment.
Common underlying triggers for this abnormal gut motility include:
While any dog or cat can develop an intussusception, certain breeds have shown a higher predisposition to the condition. These include German Shepherd Dogs, Labradoodles, and Golden Retrievers. Young animals, particularly puppies and kittens, are also at a significantly higher risk due to their susceptibility to parasites and viral infections.
The symptoms of intussusception can vary depending on whether the blockage is acute (sudden and complete) or chronic (gradual and partial). Owners should monitor their pets closely for the following signs:
Common Signs:
Occasional Signs:
Rare Signs:
Severe abdominal pain and a tense abdomen are common signs of an intestinal blockage.
In chronic cases, the signs can be subtle and easily confused with other gastrointestinal diseases. As noted in a leading veterinary internal medicine reference:
"Chronic ileocolic intussusceptions typically produce less vomiting, abdominal pain, and hematochezia. These animals often have intractable diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia because of protein loss from the congested mucosa. PLE in a young dog without hookworms or a puppy that seems to be having an unexpectedly long recovery from parvoviral enteritis should prompt suspicion of chronic intussusception."
Diagnosing an intussusception requires a systematic approach, starting with a thorough physical examination and proceeding to advanced imaging.
"This pattern optimizes the visualization of the wall layers on each side of the lumen. LU, lumen of the bowel. F: The gas pattern appears as an intraluminal, hyperechoic, reflective surface."
"Contrast medium outlines the end of a large ileocolic intussusception (thin arrows). Note that barium does not fill up the normally positioned colonic lumen because of a long fillin"
Intussusception is a surgical emergency. Medical management alone is rarely successful and carries an extremely high risk of mortality.
The primary treatment is emergency abdominal surgery. Once the abdomen is opened, the surgeon will locate the intussusception and attempt to gently reduce (slide apart) the telescoped segments.
If the tissue is healthy and viable, the surgeon will reduce it and inspect the gut for any underlying causes, such as tumors or foreign bodies. However, if the tissue is devitalized (dead), dark purple or black, or torn, the surgeon must perform a resection and anastomosis. This involves surgically removing the damaged section of the intestine and suturing the healthy ends back together.
In very rare and specific circumstances, a veterinarian might attempt to resolve the intussusception endoscopically. However, this is highly risky and only attempted if the tissue is deemed healthy and the blockage is accessible. As a leading veterinary internal medicine reference cautions:
"Endoscopic removal occasionally succeeds, but the clinician must be careful because it is easy to rupture devitalized intestine and cause peritonitis. If the clinician can pass the tip of the endoscope to near the aborad end of the object and pull it out by grabbing the aborad end, surgery is sometimes unnecessary."
Before, during, and after surgery, pets require intensive supportive care. This includes:
The prognosis for pets with intussusception is often good, provided that the condition is diagnosed and treated before severe septic peritonitis occurs, and as long as the intestines do not reintussuscept (telescope again) after surgery.
If the surgery is successful, the tissue is healthy, and the underlying cause (such as parasites or a foreign body) is resolved, most pets go on to make a full recovery and live normal, healthy lives. However, if a large portion of the intestine had to be removed, or if the pet developed severe peritonitis from a ruptured bowel, the prognosis becomes much more guarded, requiring prolonged hospitalization and intensive post-operative care.
While you cannot prevent every case of intussusception, you can significantly reduce the risk by managing the common underlying triggers:
There are currently no genetic screening tests available for the breeds predisposed to this condition.
Intussusception is an Urgency 5 emergency. You must contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately if your pet shows any of the following red flags:
Do not wait to see if the symptoms improve; early intervention is the single most important factor in saving your pet's life.
If you own a German Shepherd Dog, Labradoodle, or Golden Retriever, you should be especially vigilant. While these breeds are beloved for their wonderful temperaments, they have a known predisposition to developing intussusceptions. If your dog of these breeds develops sudden vomiting, abdominal discomfort, or unusual diarrhea, do not treat it as a simple upset stomach. Seek veterinary evaluation promptly to rule out this life-threatening condition.
Intussusception is a life-threatening veterinary emergency where one segment of the intestine telescopes into another, causing a severe blockage and cutting off blood flow. Prompt surgical intervention is typically required to save the animal's life.
Palpable abdominal mass、Scant bloody diarrhea、Vomiting、abdominal pain、hematochezia、Anorexia、Depression、Hypoalbuminemia
Exploratory surgery、Abdominal palpation、Abdominal ultrasonography、Barium contrast enema、Colonoscopy、Plain abdominal radiographs
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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