OBSTIPATION 67 



pation (coprostasis) may cause infection of the blood from absorption, 

 of the fsecal matter, enteritis, mortification, peritonitis and death. 



Symptoms of Obstruction of the Intestines. — In complete occlusion 

 of the intestines, due to foreign bodies, invagination or tortion, the 

 animal is irritable and cross and Trasbot has seen cases where the animal 

 showed symptoms very similar to rabies or where it may present the 

 other extreme, being dull and indifferent to the surroundings, refusing 

 all food, but showing great thirst, with no passage of faeces whatever. 

 The rectal temperature is slightly increased, the lower portion of the 

 abdomen is inflated with gas and very painful, even on the slightest 

 pressure; in some cases we may find decided icterus. 



Fig. 28. — Dog with obstruction of the intestines. 



The vomiting is constant and very severe, particularly in the later 

 stages of the disease, the animal vomiting whenever it drinks any water. 

 At first the vomited matter is normal, but later on it assumes a greenish 

 color (bile) and finally putrid, containing pieces of faecal matter. 



By examining the abdominal region with the hand we can generally 

 locate the obstruction, which is hard and exceedingly painful on pressure. 

 The swelling can be moved about showing it to be part of the intestine. 



In ordinary cases of constriction of the intestines, no definite prog- 

 nosis can be made with any degree of certainty as to its course and 

 duration. The constriction of the intestine may go on gradually and not 

 cause any serious symptoms for a long time, or it may progress very 

 rapidly and cause a complete constriction in two or three weeks. Where 



