Clinical findings and outcomes of 153 dogs surgically treated for intestinal intussusceptions

To describe perioperative characteristics and outcomes of dogs surgically treated for intestinal intussusception.

Multi-institutional, retrospective study.

One hundred fifty-three client-owned dogs with intestinal intussusception.

Dogs were included when they had undergone surgical treatment of a confirmed intestinal intussusception. Medical records were reviewed for demographics and clinical data, including surgical complications (graded 1-4). Follow-up was obtained via telephone interview with owners and referring veterinarians.

Dogs had a median age of 10 months (range, 2-156), and the most common location for intussusception was ileocolic (66/153 [43%]). Most cases had no identifiable cause (104/155 [67%]). Intestinal resection and anastomosis (IRA) was performed in 129 of 153 (84%) dogs; enteroplication was performed in 28 of 153 (18%) dogs, including 13 with and 15 without IRA. Intraoperative complications occurred in 10 of 153 (7%) dogs, all involving intestinal damage during attempted manual reduction. The median duration of follow-up after discharge was 334 days (interquartile range, 15-990; range, 1-3302). Postoperative complications occurred in 53 of 153 (35%) dogs, including 22 of 153 (14%) with severe (grade 3 or 4) events. Diarrhea, regurgitation, and septic peritonitis were the most common postoperative complications; intussusception recurred in four of 153 (3%) dogs, all within 72 hours postoperatively. Fourteen-day postoperative mortality rate was 6%.

Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception was curative in most dogs, even when an underlying cause was not identified. Surgical complications were common, including a 14% risk of life-threatening short-term complications.

Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception offers an excellent prognosis, but the potential life-threatening complications should be considered.