Surgical management of ileocolic intussusception in a German shepherd dog

Abstract

Intussusception occurs when excessive peristaltic motility forces one segment of the intestine into another slightly larger part of the intestine. The incidence of intussusception is more in German shepherd dogs. A six-month old German shepherd dog weighing 17 kg was presented with a history of anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy for the past 7 days. Clinical examination revealed a congested conjunctival mucous membrane, bounding pulse and tachycardia. Abdominal palpation evinced pain and a bunch of coiled sausage shaped mass was identified during deep palpation. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed bulls eye appearance in the intestine confirming the occurrence of intussusception. Pre-operatively, the animal was hydrated and stabilized with intravenous fluids. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy using ceftriaxone was given at a dose rate of 25 mg per kg bodyweight and pre-emptive analgesia with meloxicam at a dose rate of 0.2 mg per kg bodyweight was also given. Emergency laparotomy was performed under general anaesthesia maintained with isoflurane. A 20 cm long necrosed irreducible intestinal segment was identified. The necrosed loop was resected after ligating the mesenteric vessels. The cut ends of the intestine being uneven, was cut at right angles and the smaller segment was further cut at an oblique angle to correct the disparity in the lumen size. End to end anastomosis was performed using polydioxanone suture in a simple continues pattern. The abdominal cavity was lavaged with normal saline. Laparotomy wound was closed in a routine pattern. Post operatively, the dog was treated using fluids, antibiotics, and analgesics for seven days. The owner was advised to give easily digestible liquid diet in small quantities from fourth day onwards and gradually shift to normal food. The skin sutures were removed on 10th post-operative day and the animal made an uneventful recovery. Keywords: Ultrasonography, Intestinal telescoping, Resection, Anastomosis, Surgical management, Deworming