Colon Surgery for Dogs
There are many reasons that colon surgery would be recommended for a dog. One of the most common is because of an obstruction in the colon that is usually caused by a foreign object. This is considered an emergency surgery. Other reasons include cancer, perforation of the colon or megacolon, which is a condition in which the colon has become enlarged. This will cause the dog to be constipated. If stool softeners don't help the dog, the colon will need to be surgically removed.
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Diagnosis
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Before a surgery is performed, the surgeon will need to determine if surgery is needed and what type of procedure needs to be performed. This can be done with X-rays, which will be taken under general anesthesia, ultrasound or fluid samples with a needle.
Preparation
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Before the dog is operated on, it will need to be shaved at the site of the incision. Also, the dog may be placed on a liquid diet unless it is an emergency procedure. If the surgery is to repair a perforation, the dog may need to be put on antibiotics before surgery to clear up an infection or at least to control it.
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Procedure
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Most colon surgeries will include removing part or all of the colon and then reconnecting what is left. If the surgery is for removing a foreign object or fixing a perforation, then it may only require an incision into the colon and then closing up the incision. A removal of part of the colon may still be necessary if the blood flow has been compromised causing part of the colon tissue to die.
Recovery
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The dog usually will be kept in the hospital for a few days to be given fluids intravenously and to monitor him for signs of infection. Antibiotics will be given to the dog for up to 10 days. A liquid diet can begin at 12 hours after surgery. After three days, if the dog has had no problems with the liquid diet, then he can start eating soft foods, including yogurt. The soft diet is given for five days before he can start eating his normal food. The dog's activity will need to be restricted for two weeks after surgery. He will not be allowed to go outside unless he is on a leash, and he will need to be kept in a crate, cage or small room when he is left alone.
Possible Complications
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Complications that can occur after a major surgery such as this one include infection or other problems in healing and stricture, which is when a band of tissue forms around where the colon was reconnected and doesn't allow anything to pass through. An infection could be a sign the sutures in the colon are leaking and allowing contaminated material out of the colon into the abdominal cavity. This and stricture would both require additional surgery. If the dog had the colon completely removed, the dog may have diarrhea; he may have to be placed on a special diet for the rest of his life.
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