MVSc

The study was carried out in selected clinical cases of alimentary tract
obstructions in twelve dogs of either sex and different breeds, presented to the
clinics of the college. These animals were divided into two groups viz. Group I
and Group II, each consisting of six animals.



Group 1-


Dogs with obstructions of upper alimentary tract (oesophagus,
stomach, duodenum and jejunum).



Group II - Dogs with obstructions of lower alimentary tract (ileum, caecum,
colon and rectum).
In Group I the obstructions were due to bone pieces, granite stone, cloth
piece, partial torsion of stomach and pyloric stenosis. In Group II the obstructions
were due to corkscrew, ileocolic intussusception, cloth pieces and faecoliths. The
obstructions due to foreign bodies were 50 per cent, with faecoliths were 25 per
cent and due to anatomical alterations and malpositions of gastrointestinal tract
were 25 per cent.
In upper alimentary tract obstruction (Group I), the predominant clinical
sign was vomiting. Frequency of vomiting was more than four times a day and
vomitus was either frothy or white in colour. Pain on abdominal palpation and
constipation were the other symptoms noticed. Respiration rate, systolic and
diastolic blood pressure, total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count and blood urea
nitrogen, creatinine, total serum protein and serum albumin levels were higher

than the normal range, preoperatively. The packed cell volume, total erythrocyte
count, haemoglobin concentration and serum sodium, potassium and chloride
levels were lower than the normal range, preoperatively. The pulse rate, rectal
temperature, neutrophil count, monocyte count and alanine transferase, aspartate
transferase levels were within the normal range, preoperatively.
In lower alimentary tract obstruction (Group II), constipation was the
prominent symptom observed. The faeces was either tarry or blood tinged. The
frequency of vomiting was three times or less a day and vomitus was either frothy
or yellowish in colour with presence of partially digested food materials. Pain on
abdominal palpation was noticed in five animals. The systolic and diastolic blood
pressure, neutrophil count and blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum albumin,
aspartate transferase, alanine transferase levels were higher than the normal range,
preoperatively. The packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, monocyte count
and serum sodium, potassium and chloride levels were lower than the normal
range preoperatively. The respiration rate, pulse rate, rectal temperature, total
leukocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, lymphocyte count and total serum
protein level were within the normal range, preoperatively.
Plain radiography was found useful for identifying the obstruction in the
alimentary tract caused by radio opaque materials. Contrast radiography using
barium meal revealed seats of obstructions due to radiolucent foreign bodies and
anatomical alterations.