SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF INTESTINAL-OBSTRUCTION IN THE DOG

Ultrasonography was performed on 44 dogs to decide whether small bowel obstruction was present. The sonographic criteria for small bowel obs truction were (1) the presence of pendulous movement of the ingesta in side the dilated bowel, (2) observation of invaginated intestines or a n ingested intraluminal foreign body, (3) observation of non-uniform p eristaltic activity of the dilated intestines, or (4) observation of a kinetic intestinal loops together with abdominal fluid accumulation. B y using these criteria, obstruction was correctly diagnosed by ultraso nography in 11 of the 13 dogs with mechanical ileus, and obstruction w as correctly excluded in 29 of the 31 non-obstructive cases. Thus, the above-mentioned sonographic criteria had 85% sensitivity and positive predictive value, and 94% specificity and negative predictive value. The present study suggests that ultrasonography is a valuable tool for diagnosing small intestinal obstruction in the dog.