Intestinal Intussusception

Intestinal intussusception describes what happens when one segment of the intestine slides into an adjacent segment, rather like a telescope collapsing in on itself. The folded tissue can narrow or block the passage, and the blood supply to the telescoped portion may become compromised. Owners most often notice vomiting, sometimes with reduced appetite or changed behaviour. Diarrhoea may occur, occasionally with blood. The signs can appear suddenly or build over hours to days, and in young animals the picture may resemble a general upset that does not resolve as expected. The abdomen may feel uncomfortable when handled, though this is not always obvious from the outside. This page explores the signals that can accompany intussusception, the mechanical and physiological changes that occur when the intestine folds, how the condition is investigated through examination and imaging, and the range of approaches used to address it. The content is intended to help orient understanding, not to guide decisions about an individual animal.