Name: Teddy
Age: 10 months
Breed: Cavoodle
Gender: Male
When Teddy started vomiting, eating less and seemed unusually tired, his family noticed that a piece of his rubber toy was missing. This small detail gave them an important clue about what might be going on.
Teddy is a ten-month-old Cavoodle who had always been healthy. There were no changes to his diet, and he’d never had any digestive issues before.
With these symptoms and the missing toy piece, it was reasonable to worry that Teddy might have swallowed something that was now causing a blockage.
When we examined Teddy, he was a little dehydrated and quieter than usual. He also seemed uncomfortable when we gently checked his abdomen.
We ran blood tests to check his overall health and help us plan his treatment safely. X-rays of his abdomen showed changes that suggested something was blocking his intestines.
An ultrasound helped us find an object lodged inside Teddy’s small intestine, with the bowel looking enlarged before the blockage. These results confirmed that something was physically stopping food and fluid from moving through as it should.
The missing piece of the toy helped guide our investigation, and the imaging confirmed that Teddy needed treatment for an intestinal blockage.
Teddy received intravenous fluids and pain relief to keep him comfortable before surgery. During his operation, a dedicated nurse stayed by his side to monitor his anaesthetic, and he was given antibiotics to help reduce the risk of infection.
During surgery, we carefully checked the section of intestine where the object was stuck. Thankfully, the tissue was still healthy and could be preserved.
This meant we could remove the object through a small incision in the intestine without needing to remove any part of the bowel.
That difference is important. While removing the blockage was necessary, the health of Teddy’s intestine meant we could keep the surgery as straightforward as possible.
After surgery, Teddy stayed on intravenous fluids and pain relief, along with medication to help with nausea. We made sure his care plan included all the details from his operation, medications and what to watch for as he recovered.
We slowly reintroduced food as Teddy felt ready, keeping a close eye on his appetite and comfort. His vomiting settled, and he began eating better.
Once Teddy was comfortable and stable, he was able to go home with clear instructions for feeding, gentle activity and looking after his incision.
At his follow-up visit, Teddy’s incision was healing well, his appetite was back to normal, and his family were pleased to report there had been no more vomiting.
If your dog is vomiting repeatedly, eating less or seems unusually tired, especially if a toy or object is missing, it’s important to seek veterinary advice promptly. An intestinal blockage can cause serious problems and needs timely attention.
If you notice these signs or think your dog may have swallowed something, please call True Companion Vets in Meadowbank. If we’re closed and your dog is unwell, contact an emergency veterinary hospital for advice.
Signs of an intestinal blockage can include repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling more tired than usual, and abdominal discomfort. Dehydration can also develop. Teddy had these symptoms, and imaging confirmed that an object was blocking his intestine. Because these signs can resemble those of other illnesses, it’s important to have your dog checked promptly.
If you think your dog may have swallowed part of a toy, contact your vet for advice, even if you’re not completely sure. If your dog is vomiting, eating less or seems lethargic, it’s especially important to have them checked. In Teddy’s case, the missing toy piece helped us know what to look for, and imaging confirmed the blockage.
To diagnose an intestinal blockage, we look at your dog’s history, symptoms, and examination findings, along with imaging such as X-rays and ultrasound. X-rays can show patterns suggesting a blockage, while ultrasound can help us see whether there’s an object and how the bowel is affected. In Teddy’s case, both X-rays and ultrasound helped us find the problem and plan his treatment.
Blood tests help us assess your dog’s overall health, including electrolytes that can affect fluid therapy and anaesthetic safety. These results, together with the examination and imaging, guide our treatment decisions. Teddy had these tests before his surgery to help us plan his care safely.
Surgery is sometimes needed if a swallowed object gets stuck and blocks the intestine, or if there’s concern about damage to the bowel. The decision depends on where the object is, what the imaging shows and how your dog is doing overall. In Teddy’s case, his scans showed a blockage in his small intestine that needed surgery to fix.
Some small, smooth objects may pass without surgery, but a vet needs to assess whether monitoring is appropriate. A toy or fragment that becomes lodged and blocks the intestine may need surgical removal. Do not wait for it to pass without veterinary advice, particularly if your dog is vomiting, eating less or lethargic. Teddy’s imaging showed an intestinal obstruction, and surgery was needed to remove the object.
After surgery, care often includes intravenous fluids, pain relief, medication for nausea and slowly reintroducing food while your dog is in hospital. At home, it’s important to follow the feeding, activity and incision-care instructions provided. Teddy went home once he was comfortable and stable, and came back for a check-up to make sure he was healing well.
If your dog vomits, becomes more lethargic, eats less or seems to have more abdominal pain after intestinal surgery, it’s important to have them checked by a vet promptly. Discharge from the incision or a swollen abdomen also need urgent attention. These changes can be signs of complications and shouldn’t be assumed to be part of normal recovery.
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