Intestinal pseudoobstruction in a dog

A 6-year-old male Yorkshire Terrier had clinical signs including intermittent vomiting and diarrhea associated with abdominal distention. Contrast radiography disclosed dilatation and decreased motility of the small intestine, with dilution of barium. Hemograms, blood chemical profiles, and results of fecal examinations and urinalyses were normal. Obstruction was not found at exploratory laparotomy, but a dilated segment of mid-jejunum was biopsied. There was hypoplasia of the tunica muscularis of the jejunum, without fibrosis, inflammation, or myenteric plexus involvement. The diagnosis was idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. Post-operative care consisted solely of feeding bland foods. Three months after surgery there was progressive deterioration and emaciation due to chronic intestinal malabsorption.