OBSTIPATION G5 



Obstipation. 



(Occlusio Intestini; Ohturatio Intestini. 



Constrictions of the intestinal tract may be formed in any region and 

 may vary in degree. They always produce more or less obstructions to 

 the passage of the alimentary matter, and when the constriction becomes 

 complete, the intestinal contents, being unable to pass, usually return 

 toward the stomach again, and are expelled by vomiting. In such cases 

 the animals die quickly. This is noticed in very rare instances, where a 

 hernia has strangulated and completely blocked up the canal. (For 

 further details see chapter on Hernia.) 



Constriction may be caused by abnormal conditions of the intestinal 

 contents, from the alteration of the intestinal walls, by changes in the 

 position of the intestines, and, lastly, from external pressure. 



The bowel is often blocked up by masses of excrement, as a result 

 of improper food or feeding which is not digested in the stomach or 

 intestine; these collections reach the lower bowel and from the constant 

 accumulations of excrement coming down from the small intestines 

 gradually blocks up the entire tract. We also see obstructions, caused 

 by pieces of wood or splinters of bone, that collect masses of fseces around 

 them and fill up the bowel, forming intestinal stones or calculi (copro- 

 liths). These invariably have a nidus or centre consisting of a marble, 

 pieces of cork, sponge, or other foreign bodies, or it may be caused by 

 large pieces of bone, stones, glass or metal balls, nuts, pieces of leather, 

 etc., some of which may be swallowed accidentally in the case of trick 

 dogs, or in play. 



The constriction of the intestine, from being enclosed in a hernia 

 and the impaction of the intestinal contents pressing into the part is fre- 

 quently seen in the dog. The intestine frequently becomes twisted or 

 knotted, or even invaginated. These complications, as a rule, occur in 

 the small intestines. External compression of the intestines is frequently 

 caused from enlarged prostate or sarcomas in the pelvic cavity, helminths 

 or parasites that lie in cyst formations in the mucous membrane of the 

 intestines. Sometimes enormous abscesses form in the abdominal cavity, 

 and in rare instances they are caused by accumulations of fluids in the 

 abdominal cavity, as in the case of ascites. In newly born puppies we 

 sometimes see a congenital obstruction of the rectum (atresia ani). 

 -Great masses of fsecal matter may accumulate in the anal pouch; this may 

 be due in some cases to the swelling of the anal glands, or by the accu- 

 mulation of masses of hair gluing around the rectum and preventing 

 defecation; the same condition is seen in tumors of the anus or rectum. 

 For further details see page 29. 

 5 



