Hairballs in Dogs
Do dogs get hairballs?
When talking about hairballs, we tend to think it of it only as a problem for cats, but dogs can be affected as well. It occurs mainly in dogs with medium to long fur and is most often the result of self-grooming or eating the hair of other animals.
Trichobezoar is the medical term that is used to describe a hairball. The word “trich” means hair and a bezoar is any foreign material that obstructs the stomach or intestines. Therefore, a trichobezoar is a gastrointestinal obstruction caused by hair.
What causes trichobezoars?
Dogs can swallow hair when grooming themselves, as well as by eating hair that they find in their environment. This hair cannot be digested due to the presence of keratin, which is a fibrous, structural protein. The hair usually passes through the intestines and exits the body in the feces.
In some situations, the hair may become twisted on itself or another object within the stomach or intestines. This can result in the tangled mass of hair becoming too large to pass out of the stomach or through the intestines, and a hairball, or trichobezoar, will form.
Once a hairball forms, there are two possible outcomes. Many dogs simply vomit up the hairball, leaving you to find it on your floor, and then continue on with their normal lives. In some cases, the hairball may become lodged in the intestinal tract and become an obstruction.
Trichobezoars can occur in any dog, but are more common in medium- to long-haired dogs and dogs that have skin conditions. These dogs tend to lick their skin more often and ingest larger amounts of hair.
Dogs with prey instincts enjoy eating the whole animal, including the feathers and fur. Since hair is not digestible, it will remain inside their stomach and accumulate over time, much like what your mother said would happen if you swallowed your chewing gum.
What are the signs of a trichobezoar?
Sometimes, the only sign that your dog has a trichobezoar is a vomited hairball. A dog’s hairball typically has the same cylindrical shape that you see with a cat’s hairball, due to the pressure that compresses the mass of hair as it travels up the esophagus. The hairball is generally rounded, tubular or spherical, depending on the amount of hair ingested. It can be a wet and soggy mass, or a dry one.
You may also notice a change in the consistency of the stool. When large amounts of hair are passed in the stool, it will have a stringy, elongated shape, similar to the shape of the hairball in the vomit.
Trichobezoars that cause an obstruction are not easily identified. In these cases, you may not see hair in your dog’s vomit. Signs that could indicate an obstruction include decreased appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain and lack of bowel movements. If your dog is unable to keep down food or water, veterinary treatment is needed.
How are hairballs diagnosed?
If you are seeing hair in your dog’s vomit, the diagnosis is pretty straightforward. Your veterinarian may recommend diagnostics to search for underlying causes of your dog’s hairballs. These may include a thorough skin examination and blood tests for overall body health and organ function, including tests to evaluate the gastrointestinal system.
If there is an obstruction caused by a trichobezoar, further testing will be needed. After a complete physical examination, your veterinarian will palpate your dog’s abdomen for signs of discomfort. Next, radiographs will be taken to look for signs of obstruction. Depending on the appearance of your dog’s X-rays, your veterinarian may also recommend other imaging tests, such as a contrast study.
A contrast study involves having your dog swallow a liquid barium solution in order to follow the flow of the radiopaque material through the digestive tract. The barium will coat any material in the stomach and intestines. If there is barium still in the stomach after four hours, it indicates the presence of material, likely hair, trapped in the stomach.
What is the treatment for a trichobezoar that is causing an obstruction?
If your dog has an obstruction that is caused by a trichobezoar, it will need to be removed. It may be possible to remove hairballs in the stomach with the use of an endoscope that can be sent down your dog’s esophagus and into the stomach.
More commonly, surgery is required to remove an obstructive hairball. Surgery allows the entire gastrointestinal tract to be examined for any potential obstructions and removing trichobezoars at multiple sites, if necessary.
Surgery is usually successful, as long as it is performed promptly, before significant damage to the intestines has occurred. Most patients remain hospitalized for one to three days after surgery and are sent home with specific instructions regarding diet, medication, supplements and exercise restriction.
Can trichobezoars be prevented?
Trichobezoars in dogs are often related to underlying skin disease. Working closely with your veterinarian to diagnose allergies or other skin conditions can help prevent hairballs from recurring or developing in the first place.
The most important thing to do is brush your dog. Regular grooming is essential to prevent hairballs. Brushing removes loose fur so your dog doesn’t swallow much of it.
Protect your dog against fleas and ticks. Dogs with fleas and ticks will have itchy skin, which makes them more likely to lick their fur. This fur ingestion can lead to hairball formation. In areas where fleas and ticks are present, use preventive medications.
In the colder months, reduce dry skin on your dog by using a moisturizing shampoo. This can help decrease his desire to lick and chew himself. Oatmeal baths will also moisturize the skin.
A temporary or long-term high-fiber diet will keep hairballs moving through the digestive tract. Speak with your veterinarian about whether your dog’s diet should include fiber supplements, high-fiber dog food, or vegetables like green beans.
It is also important to ensure your dog is drinking plenty of water. Adequate fluid intake will also keep everything moving through the stomach and intestines.
Petroleum-based laxatives, such as Laxatone (usually given to cats), will facilitate the passing of hair. Lactulose is a disaccharide laxative that can be prescribed by your veterinarian.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, can be given as a supplement. They are helpful in preventing hairballs in two ways. The oils nourish the skin and coat to reduce shedding, and also allow ingested hair to move more easily through the digestive tract.
If your dog frequently has hairballs, consider his lifestyle. Excessive grooming or licking can be a sign of boredom, stress or anxiety. More exercise or new toys may give him less time to sit and lick himself.
Ingesting human hair or the fur of other pets in the home can also lead to the development of trichobezoars. You may need to focus on limiting your dog’s access to these sources of hair. Make sure all trash cans are kept out of reach and your floor is free of hair. Having the dog wear a basket muzzle is an option to prevent him from swallowing fur.