Changes

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

*No breed predisposition

*No breed predisposition

*No sex predilection

*No sex predilection

==Description==

==Description==

'''Intestinal obstruction''' can be classified as acute or chronic, partial or complete, simple or incarcerated.  The cause of the obstruction can be intraluminal, extraluminal or intramural.  Most common causes of intestinal obstruction include [[Intussusception|intussusception]], neoplasia and foreign body.  [[Intussusception|Intussusception]] is more likely in young animals with a history of gastroenteritis or intestinal surgery.  Cats frequently present with linear foreign bodies.  Other less common causes include intestinal torsion/volvulus and incarcerated intestinal obstruction.  Neoplasia is more commonly present in middle-aged to older animals.

'''Intestinal obstruction''' can be classified as acute or chronic, partial or complete, simple or incarcerated.  The cause of the obstruction can be intraluminal, extraluminal or intramural.  Most common causes of intestinal obstruction include [[Intussusception|intussusception]], neoplasia and foreign body.  [[Intussusception|Intussusception]] is more likely in young animals with a history of gastroenteritis or intestinal surgery.  Cats frequently present with linear foreign bodies.  Other less common causes include intestinal torsion/volvulus and incarcerated intestinal obstruction.  Neoplasia is more commonly present in middle-aged to older animals.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

*[[Vomiting|Vomiting]]; food, bile and/or phlegm

*[[Vomiting|Vomiting]]; food, bile and/or phlegm

*Anorexia, depression

*Anorexia, depression

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

*Hypochloraemia and hypokalaemia acid-base derangement is common in animals with intestinal obstruction.

*Hypochloraemia and hypokalaemia acid-base derangement is common in animals with intestinal obstruction.

*Metabolic alkalosis ± aciduria may occur with upper duodenal obstruction.

*Metabolic alkalosis ± aciduria may occur with upper duodenal obstruction.

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Diagnostic Imaging===

====Ultrasonography====

====Ultrasonography====

Most of the time, this is a more sensitive technique in revealing the cause of the obstruction compared to radiography.  Dilation and thickening of the wall of the intestine may be revealed.

Most of the time, this is a more sensitive technique in revealing the cause of the obstruction compared to radiography.  Dilation and thickening of the wall of the intestine may be revealed.

===Histopathology===

===Histopathology===

*Fine needle aspirate may be warranted before surgery if a mass is suspected, such as lymphoma.

*Fine needle aspirate may be warranted before surgery if a mass is suspected, such as lymphoma.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

This depends on type and severity of obstruction.  A simple obstruction with no signs of septic peritonitis has a good prognosis.  The prognosis is better in cases where there is no large resection of the intestines.  On the other hand, the prognosis is grave if there are signs of [[Neoplasia - Pathology #The Process of Metastasis|metastatic]] neoplasia.

This depends on type and severity of obstruction.  A simple obstruction with no signs of septic peritonitis has a good prognosis.  The prognosis is better in cases where there is no large resection of the intestines.  On the other hand, the prognosis is grave if there are signs of [[Neoplasia - Pathology #The Process of Metastasis|metastatic]] neoplasia.

==References==

==References==

*Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Williams, D.A. (2005) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''

*Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Williams, D.A. (2005) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''

*Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''.

*Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''.

[[Category:Intestine_-_Mechanical_Obstruction]]

[[Category:Intestine_-_Mechanical_Obstruction]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]]